My first month at home

It's been so busy and fun here that I can hardly believe it's been one month already!

You'll be pleased to know that my coat has almost entirely regrown. I do still have thin spots, but no bald spots! The pressure callouses on my hiney are completely gone, and my front feet are actually starting to develop a normal curve in the toes.

I get to go to a dog park every weekend with brother Angus. It's so much fun to meet new friends and there are always lots of dogs who like to play. Today we met another Dane named Angus who is actually grumpier than our Angus. Imagine that! My new friends Dora and Lotus met us at the park today and we played for two hours. I'm still pretty tired from that and might sleep a little extra over the next few days.

Last week I had to go back to see my doctor because I had an overgrowth of icky bacteria in my intestines and couldn't stop pooping and vomiting. It was an unpleasant experience but I did get extra attention and even better tasting food! Mmmmm.

It still surprises me that most people we meet already know about me. My new family is kinda famous in a dog sort of way and it's neat that so many people are excited to meet me. I'm going to need a calendar with more space because I have so many dates to pencil in!

Translator's note:
Rhys has settled nicely with our family and aside from his yet unrefined manners can pass for a normal, well-nourished dog. He is no longer scabby, flakey, or greasy, and his scars are covered with hair. We expected this type of progress after three months; to see this little darling blossom after five weeks (earlier, actually) is incredible.

Rhys will forever have some special needs. He appears to be allergic to poultry (chicken and turkey) and sensitive to beef. His digestive system is still delicate and recovering from months of poor quality food, so we have to be extremely careful. Although his front paws are regaining some shape (Dane feet should be compact and domed, like cat feet), it is entirely possible that he will suffer long-term damage from his malnutrition. In the meantime, he absolutely charms both man and dog. It is difficult to explain how such a loving creature was ever routinely neglected and abused.

Week 3

I finally got healthy enough to be with the general public and had a date with our family friend, Dora (she's the pretty Mantle I'm romping with in one of the pictures). I had a great time at the dog park and visited with lots of people and dogs. It was nice to be able to run, jump, sniff, and run even more.

The lady posted new pictures of me. I hope you can see that my coat is now glossy and my eyes are clear. I still have a yeast infection in one ear and haven't grown back fur in all the patchy spots, but I feel much better. My skin smells pleasantly neutral and my coat is soft to the touch. My sit callouses are almost completely gone!

Week 2

My second week at Dane Manor is coming to a close. So far I've had two visits to my doctor, several walks, marrow bones, training, play time, and a trip to the off leash dog park.

I haven't been able to do much this week because I am sick. What the shelter thought was kennel cough was actually canine influenza - now I have kennel cough, and it started out really badly. The medicine helps with the coughing and makes me a little sleepy. The worst part is that I'm not allowed to play much or go for walks while I'm sick because activity makes me cough more. I do get marrow bones in my crate and that helps the time pass.

This is a fun house! Conan almost always wants to play and although he's bigger than I am he is patient and gentle. I've done a few things that he didn't like and he was quick to tell me about them, but other than that our relationship has been brilliant. Angus is a bit more of a challenge, but I am told that crabbiness is his specialty.

My coat looks better and I smell a little less like stinky dog. My ears and eyes are clean but my ears still get itchy now and then. I look a little better than I did when I arrived, and I've even gotten some compliments on my shiny new coat from some of the very nice people I've gotten to know.

My family has learned a few things about me this week:
- I am terrified of spray bottles. My other family used to "train" me with squirts and I didn't like it at all. The new lady wanted to spray some stuff on my coat she said would be good for my skin, but as soon as she pulled out the bottle with the trigger on it I ran for cover and peed all over.
- I sometimes have accidents in the house, and sometimes in my crate. The man person cleaned up a more solid accident a few days ago and I went over to see what he was doing. He said," Hey, buddy! Is this yours?" I ran for cover and peed all over. He sounded very friendly and was worried when I ran away, but I didn't want him to yell or put my snout in my mess. I don't think that happens here, but I'm going to be careful for a while longer.
- I don't quite understand how to play with people. I haven't done it much and it seems natural to use my mouth, but that has not been popular. Jumping is also frowned upon. I'm getting the idea but I still get confused and excited. The lady wants to take me to school so I can learn these things better. We were supposed to start tomorrow but now I have to wait because I'm still sick. I've already learned a few other things, though, like sitting and touching things with my nose.

Week 1

I am so relieved to have a home. In the past week I lost the only family I have ever known, got sent to jail, and had surgery. It's been a very busy week! Fortunately my new family heard about me and came to visit me in jail. I received a lot of attention there, but no one wanted to take me home. I was so excited when my lady asked to spend time with me alone and crushed to see her leave. She told me she would see me in a few days but I didn't want to get my hopes up. When I saw her come walking back to my kennel as she promised I lept and squealed for joy (Translator's note: Samson in fact almost jumped out of the 6' fenced kennel if that is a better indication of his emotional state at the time)!

Everything in my new home is very different. I have brothers named Angus and Conan but haven't been allowed to spend much time with them yet. Angus is a little crabby, but I see he is wise. Conan and I are going to be good buddies; the lady says he still needs a bit of time to get comfortable with me, but in the meantime I don't mind my crate at all. It's nice to have my own space and I still get to come out and play.

I feel safe here and am happy to hear that this family can help me feel better. I have many sores on my legs and feet and sometimes my feet hurt because they are so flat. My eyes are runny and my ears itch and burn. The lady says she can make all of those things go away in a few months. I already feel better and my eyes are less goopy. The new food is so easy to eat and having a warm meal is especially nice when it's cold and rainy outside.