Yes, it's been awhile since I've blogged. Sorry...we've been busy! I guess that's what happens when we both work full-time or close to it. Here is a post that I wanted to write almost 3 months ago, but it's okay that it's just now getting done - here's the story, progress, and personality of our second rescue dog, Wash!
With getting my job at Good Dog came the talk, and the search for dog #2. We had wanted to get Chewy a playmate and once we knew we'd have that extra source of income, it didn't take long for us to find a new someone to bring into our lives. His name was Billy, and he was in foster care after being found as a stray at a school near Plainfield, IN (southwest of Indy). After meeting him at a PetCo adoption event and filling out the application the week before, on March 10 we introduced Chewy to his new brother, Billy - whose name we changed to Wash. Yes, it's a bit unusual; he's named after a character from the cancelled TV show "Firefly" and the movie "Serenity." Here's the original Wash, expert spaceship pilot:
Wash and Chewy were best friends almost immediately, but once we got them both home and they played into the evening hours, Chewy started giving us this look like, "Soooo...when's he going back to HIS house?" He wasn't the biggest fan of sharing our attention with his new brother at first (who it turns out is a bit of an attention HOG), but the two of them are still like peas in a pod.
So here's a few more details about Mr. Wash:
We really can't tell what he's mixed with. Corgi and possibly yellow lab? He's about ten pounds bigger than Chewy.
His ears are very bouncy when he walks. It's ridiculously adorable.
He has a VERY waggly tail. Naturally, it goes nuts when we come home after work. But sometimes even if you just look at him or say his name, his tail will reveal how pleased he is. :)
He came to us with a thick, plush undercoat and he was as soft as a teddy bear. He has since shed this, and now he is less soft and looks quite a bit scrawnier than in these photos!
Like Chewy, he LOVES treats, but compared to Chewy he is much better with accepting simple praise as a reward. Chewy's attitude: "You don't have a treat? Well then why did you make me do stuff??"
Unlike Chewy, he doesn't go completely insane when he sees other dogs (yay!) (Chewy is also making small improvements with this)
Also unlike Chewy, he is wary of strangers, ESPECIALLY when they come into the apartment. But in the 3 months we've had him, he has improved tremendously with this. Between going to the dog park, daycare, and his new obedience class (class #3 was this past Sunday), he has gotten much better accepting the presence of strangers and often will seek attention from them. He meets new people several times a week and we can see him changing before our eyes, which is so rewarding. It's like he's discovering how much fun life can be; when we brought him home, he wouldn't stick his head out the car window, and he didn't really know how to play with toys. Now he ALWAYS has his head out the window, and will ask us to play tug o' war with him the way Chewy did. He still tends to be generally afraid of unfamiliar things, and he especially hates any kind of spray bottle. Hmm.
Mornings consist of Wash whining to be let out of his crate (as early as 6:30, as late as 10). We let both dogs out and Wash will hop in bed and sandwich himself between us - sometimes rather violently! - and Chewy will pop up to say good morning and then take window lookout duty. The two of them do most of their playtime after their meals and they love to chase each other in circles around the couch.
In summary, we now have two dogs who each has his own unique set of idiosyncrasies. They are great dogs and we are working to make sure they are the BEST dogs they can possibly be. They make us laugh every day, and even though it hasn't even been a year yet, we can't imagine life without them! I'd never had a dog before Chewy, and now there's two....I'm just pleased as punch :)
Until next time-
Kathleen
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| His very first day in his new home - not quite sure what to think! |
Wash and Chewy were best friends almost immediately, but once we got them both home and they played into the evening hours, Chewy started giving us this look like, "Soooo...when's he going back to HIS house?" He wasn't the biggest fan of sharing our attention with his new brother at first (who it turns out is a bit of an attention HOG), but the two of them are still like peas in a pod.
So here's a few more details about Mr. Wash:
We really can't tell what he's mixed with. Corgi and possibly yellow lab? He's about ten pounds bigger than Chewy.
His ears are very bouncy when he walks. It's ridiculously adorable.
He has a VERY waggly tail. Naturally, it goes nuts when we come home after work. But sometimes even if you just look at him or say his name, his tail will reveal how pleased he is. :)
He came to us with a thick, plush undercoat and he was as soft as a teddy bear. He has since shed this, and now he is less soft and looks quite a bit scrawnier than in these photos!
Like Chewy, he LOVES treats, but compared to Chewy he is much better with accepting simple praise as a reward. Chewy's attitude: "You don't have a treat? Well then why did you make me do stuff??"
Unlike Chewy, he doesn't go completely insane when he sees other dogs (yay!) (Chewy is also making small improvements with this)
Also unlike Chewy, he is wary of strangers, ESPECIALLY when they come into the apartment. But in the 3 months we've had him, he has improved tremendously with this. Between going to the dog park, daycare, and his new obedience class (class #3 was this past Sunday), he has gotten much better accepting the presence of strangers and often will seek attention from them. He meets new people several times a week and we can see him changing before our eyes, which is so rewarding. It's like he's discovering how much fun life can be; when we brought him home, he wouldn't stick his head out the car window, and he didn't really know how to play with toys. Now he ALWAYS has his head out the window, and will ask us to play tug o' war with him the way Chewy did. He still tends to be generally afraid of unfamiliar things, and he especially hates any kind of spray bottle. Hmm.
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| Also NOT a fan of baths! |
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| They do a good job wearing each other out! |
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| Look how curious the puppy is! (just this past Sunday) |
In summary, we now have two dogs who each has his own unique set of idiosyncrasies. They are great dogs and we are working to make sure they are the BEST dogs they can possibly be. They make us laugh every day, and even though it hasn't even been a year yet, we can't imagine life without them! I'd never had a dog before Chewy, and now there's two....I'm just pleased as punch :)
Until next time-
Kathleen
