Been Awhile

It has been awhile since I have been out here and it is interesting to read what was going on nearly 2 years ago. Ben had been with me 6 months and Shiloh was just arriving.

Some days it does not seem that far away, as we deal with some of the same fearfulness and anxiousness with the world around us, but we have done so much and really have changed in so many ways.

We are having a great life growing and learning together

It is a New Day - A Breakthrough

From Shiloh:

Boy everything is so new and so different from how my life had been, and I just have to remember that this is all good for me and I am safe and loved.
I just have to gather up my courage and trust my Mom and my brother Ben, that they are going to take care of me and want me to be strong and brave.
I am learning a lot and getting more comfortable every day. I know "sit" and "down" and the biggest thing that Mom is so proud of me for, is that I finally have been able to go across the street and walk with Mom and Ben!!! I know Mom is so excited, and I know Ben is happy too because now we can all go together for walks.

This is a good life!

A New Year!!!

From Shiloh and Ben's Mom -

It is a new year and the kids are doing great. Ben and Shiloh are getting along so well and I just love to watch them play together.
Shiloh is warming up every day and starting to feel comfortable in her forever home. She is starting to learn commands and loves to go in the car and go for walks.
Both Ben and Shiloh are becoming avid Patriots fans, watching the big game each weekend with friends and wearing their Patriots bandanas

Improving Every Day

Ben and Shiloh's Mom -

Ben and Shiloh are improving every day and it is wonderful to see them starting to play together and even groom each other a bit.
Shiloh is overcoming something every day and you can start to see her relaxing. The other night when I got home from work we all went into the yard and Shiloh actually began to play with me a bit and even chase after Ben when he was running after his ball. When she got to the ball, she did not really know what to do but seemed proud of herself anyway.
Yesterday was a big socialization day as we went to a friend's house to watch football. Shiloh was a bit nervous, people she had not met, a big screen tv but she did well as got nice and comfy and was more than willing to accept treats of cheese.
Now when I watch Ben I am so amazed at how far he has come and realize that Shiloh too will be able to be outgoing and at ease in time...

The First Few Days...

Shiloh -

Well, I am now in my forever home and there is a lot to take in!
My Mom and my brother Ben, are being so good, letting me settle in and just hang out. I am a bit nervous and being outside in the open is kind of scary, I haven't had all this space before. My Mom has had to come get me out from under the porch and the shed, kind of funny seeing her crawling in with a treat in her hand. Today she worked real hard to close off the shed so that I don't go under there again, I guess I will have to find a new place to go...... the compost pile is pretty nice.

I did go for a walk yesterday with Molly and Bailey, it was nice to be outside but still everything seems so big around me. But Mom keeps talking to me sweetly and telling me that I am a big girl, so I guess I am doing okay.

One thing I do know is that my Mom and my brother Ben love me a lot and that means everything to me....

Giving Thanks and a Rainbow

Ben and Shiloh's Mom -

There is no doubt that today is a day of thanksgiving...
I picked up Shiloh yesterday from her foster home, the most wonderful people in the dog world - Lisa and Rick with Canine's Creed Rescue and she is settling in.
She was very nervous, taking everything in and shaking. I had to get her out of a few hiding places in the yard as well as the house, but soon she settled into one of the doggie beds that at least allowed her to see what was going on in the house.
Ben was a bit unsure of her since she was not playing with him, but he is being patient and checking on her from time to time.
We did do a walk last night and this morning and there was a marked difference in her approach to the walk. While we walked this morning we stopped for a moment and I saw the most beautiful full rainbow, brilliant with color and I am sure that Pop was telling me that I have much to be thankful for this year. Coming home I could see Ben patiently waiting in the front window for us to return.

As Brittany Spears Said..."OOPs I did it Again..."

We are waiting for Shiloh's arrival, she is presently at her foster home with Canine's Creed Rescue in NH.
When Ben and his brothers were brought from Tennessee, Shiloh ( her name had been Sweetie ) was left behind because supposedly she had an adoption but it feel through.
Since Ben was transitioning so well ( very shy and anxious ) CCR decided that they had to get Shiloh out as well.
I watch closely what was going on, checking the site in Tennessee and checking in with CCR on her status.
I had no thought of bringing another dog into my home, but when I saw her and knew what she was up against, I did not think twice.
So in 6 months my home has expanded and is full of doggie love.
Ben and I will go to NH just before Thanksgiving to adopt Shiloh....

We have a lot to be thankful for this year!

So Much To Learn...

Ben -
I sure have had a lot to learn these past months. I had to learn everything from coming in and out of the house, not be scared of just about everything ( ceiling fans and those blow up things on front lawns...scary.. ) and mostly how to just be a dog.
I have meet a bunch of great friends that I play with and have loved getting to go to a bunch of really cool places with my Mom. I have canoed, camped, hiked, cheered for the Patriots andget a lots of lovin'. My best new friends are Molly and Bailey - Molly really likes to play with me. And then there is John Paps, he plays with me and takes me for special walks...

Every day I am getting more confident and am starting to speak my mind. I really love my Mom and some times when she is away at work... i will take her slippers so that I can have her near me.

A New Beginning - Ben

Ben's Mom -
I had no idea that I would fall so completely in love with a dog.
First when I started to look, I was so sure that I wanted a female black lab mix but alas, as I spent hours looking through PetFinder, not one truly caught my eye.
Then I saw a picture of a beautiful white male lab/Great Pyrennes mix, with a look that simply stole my heart and I knew that he was for me.
Ben was one of 4 siblings who had been saved by a shelter in Tennessee and then taken by a Rescue in NH. Very shy and anxious Ben had a lot to overcome as he had to learn ,at nearly a year, to deal with everything from living in a house and all the comes with that, along with meeting people and the wonders of cars and garbage cans.
These 7 months have been very special and to watch Ben gain in confidence has been amazing.
I hope that you will get a chance to share Ben's new life as he tells you more about his adventures through this Diary.