Keeping track

Like I wrote on Reilly's page, he was abused and neglected and he isn't very trusting. It will definitely take time to get him out of his shell. I am writing this diary to keep track of his progress.

January 3, 2013- Last pre-adoption home visit

Today is the last time we visit in our home with Reilly before we formally adopt him. He felt comfortable enough to eat in front of us! This is big because due to his past, he was extremely food-shy and wouldn't eat until his c*nt hoarder jackhole left after putting food down. She always shooed him away from it :( But now he eats his meals with us sitting in the same room.

He also ate some treats: He likes small bacon-flavored Milkbones :)

January 8, 2013- Upstairs, downstairs

Reilly went both downstairs and back upstairs on his own. Since then he has mastered the art of going upstairs but he isn't fully confident of his downstairs abilities yet.

January 11, 2013- Walking towards us

Reilly walked towards me twice today and walked towards John once! Usually we go up to him slowly, and we sit down and pet him and tell him what a good boy he is. When we pet him on the head, he slightly flinches, as if he expects us to hit him :( It breaks my heart. But today, walking towards us, even just a few steps...fantastic!

He is also very curious about the garage door going up and down. If he is in our bedroom, he will come out to the loft to check out what is going on. He doesn't appear to be scared by the noise.

He also let us know that he likes Denta Bone treats.

January 12, 2013- Music and Furmination

As I'm sitting here c̶a̶u̶s̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶m̶a̶y̶h̶e̶m̶ ̶o̶n̶l̶i̶n̶e̶ surfing the 'net, I can see that Reilly is fast asleep in the loft. I put on a CD we got for him called Through a Dog's Ear: Music for the Canine Household (his foster mom recommended it), and it seems to calm him. I find the piano music a bit depressing for my taste, but if it calms him, then the goal was achieved :D

http://throughadogsear.com/music-to-enjoy/


Also, I have been Furminating him every day since he got here. That also relaxes him; at times he will fall asleep while I am doing it.

Http://furminator.com


Understandably, he hates the washing machine and heads to our bedroom when he hears it.

He also seems to now understand that if he hears the garage door or the front door opening, most likely someone is coming home. He heard the front door open earlier and came out to the loft to see Daddy coming in :)

Tonight Uncle Steve stopped over with some treats for The Bear. He sat down next to Reilly and put them in front of him. Reilly took them, and seemed to love them!

January 13, 2013- Fiona visits

Reilly is fast asleep and snoring, all tuckered out from his visit with our friends' Pyr Fiona :)

January 14, 2013- Downstairs by himself

Reilly Bear showed off for Uncle Steve tonight by walking down the stairs all by himself!

January 15, 2013- Enjoying the Himalayan dog chew

A few days ago I bought a Himalayan Dog Chew for the Reilly Bear. It's just been sitting there next to him, and he was showing no interest in it at all.

Until about five minutes ago.

He's laying in the loft, holding it with his paws, happily chomping away =)

January 16, 2013- Diary of the Day

Wow! Reilly got "Diary of the Day"! Thank you, Dogster!

January 17, 2013- First car ride

Sir Reilly Bear went for his first ride in my car today. He enjoyed himself and was a very good boy!