Huey's New Adventure

I Am His

I've been told by other rescuers that rescue dogs are on their best behaviour for the first two weeks in their new home. It's been 13 days for Huey and I can certainly see his true colours starting to emerge. Not that these aforementioned colours are of a different hue -- he's still dear, sweet, Huey -- they are rather crisper and brighter. Yes, Huey is becoming more confident and gregarious. He holds his tail a little higher and he has started to challenge me on my directions. "Out" (of the kitchen) bears repeating over and over and his recall, although still excellent, now sometimes takes a second request. And he's picked up Ella's bad habit of jumping out the driver's door of the car when we get to the park. That'll have to stop. Huey has also started barking. Not the cute, yippy playful barks, but a low, "woof" warning bark. Once last night when he was startled in the hall of my apartment building by another resident, and this morning on our 6 a.m. walk in the park. One of the regulars, Bill and Rusty came out of the darkness and Huey gave them a little "who's there" bark. I have no hesitation in taking Ella and Huey for walks in the park in the darkness of the rainy evenings. I feel somewhat comforted having the two dogs and feel that Huey has bonded with me and now knows that I'm his and he will protect me.

His scratching has decreased dramatically but he's still chewing his feet and the top of his legs. I've fashioned a T-shirt for him that I put on him during quiet time so he's less inclined to scratch, chew and lick. Huey looks to be putting on weight and is likely building muscle with all his chasing Ella in the park.

I have a feeling that Huey will be with me for while. Christmas is not a good time for people to be adopting. If that's the case I'll keep him with me until I find him a good home. As long as no one in my strata complains, I'm hopeful that his size will be overlooked. I'll just have to ensure that he doesn't get startled again and bark at residents.