esrosedotblog

OPENING UP

I haven't written about Booker for awhile.

They told us that he would be adapted to his new home after three months and that is true. But they didn't say and we didn't really think about the fact that he would keep opening up after that. He is a joy. We forget that he has five years of life to bring into the house somehow. It won't happen in a few months.

Socially, he has been wonderful with us but cool to others. "hello, how are you, goodbye". People and dogs. He is rarely, actively, unfriendly. He will not take any shit from another dog particular a male who wants to get on top. Dominance. He growls and makes a move. They get off fast.

But generally, he is a cool dude who doesn't get all excited over people or dogs outside our tight family circle.

This is the opposite of Franklin who was everyone's friend and if not today, tomorrow. And people felt it. The whole neighborhood grieved his loss. The Neighborhood Organization newsletter mentioned the loss of "our beloved Franklin".

People, in fact, have had some trouble with this new Airedale. The non-Franklin. Almost the anti-Franklin. This cool dude who doesn't go all high energy on them. They compare. Booker doesn't give a shit and we are close to that. At first we explained and defend but we quit that. He was suffering a bit from comparison but, as his own nice guy, we became loyal and just moved on.

But it is not all coolness. Not all introversion of a friendly sort. He has had some building relationships which are just now bearing fruit.

Yesterday he played with Franklin's best friend Bruno like a puppy for the first time. I was outdoors with him (he won't go beyond the apron of the drive without one of us) and he took off. I got alarmed but it was OK.

It was his friend Bruno. Frolic. Joy. Our friends Dan and Tom were very pleased. We were delighted. They have been buddies but the wraps came off yesterday.

He has also adopted the pool man, Frank, another special Franklin friend who, we are happy to say, did not treat Booker as the non-Franklin. He has been friendly and open and not pushed. He has won out and so has the pup. We watched yesterday as Frank, who loves dogs, and Booker wandered from job to job at the pool and equipment. Booker following like a little boy. Helping. Very nice.

And we have also reaped the benefits of a more open Book, so to speak.
The other night he barked at us and we finally figured that he wanted us to pet him. Not that he is lacking for petting but this was new. He has been very vocal from the beginning. Purrs when petted, grumbles, sighs, snores, just plain talks. And he has barked at us partly for fun and also to get our asses going on the walk, to the spa, on with his supper or whatever else we are supposed to do.

So John got him into the living room and we lay on the carpet - all three - and really had a dog pile. Bites, rolls, all of it. We have had a little of this before but this was a marathon.

He loves his toys. Yesterday was cleaning day. They go on a chair in the living room. All the toys MUST be in the living room. There used to be a toy shelf off the kitchen at his nose level but that will not do. Nor is it OK for the outside toys, I so carefully selected for him, to remain outside.

If you take his stuff elsewhere he puts it back where it belongs. In the living room.

He can move something, not us. It is fun to see him after Mari leaves. He goes and roots through the pile and finds what he wants and goes to play with it. Then comes back and gets the next thing. By the end of the evening, the pile has been distributed around the room.

I know all this sounds kind of trivial but for our sober Airedale it is a real breakthrough. He is so patient and so bound to us that we have never doubted his affection and happiness. Now we see it more and more.

He is a great walker. Even in the heat, he would bound out for the full time allotted. He loves the Jeep and the rides. He sits in the back as though he is Mr. Millionbucks being chauffeured around town. Seein' the sights. He is one of those dogs who seems to enjoy every aspect of his life no matter what is happening.

A lot of people come to the house. He is a great, if not effusive, host. He meets them at the gate and, we have learned, needs to see them off. Out of the yard. If we miss that part he wanders around looking for them and giving us the eye.

We can leave him alone and he does OK. He is way happy when we return and we have a great reunion.

When one of us goes out for awhile it is alright but he really wants both of us here and together. We are stuck. No divorces.

His health is excellent. No trips to the Doc.

John is doing the grooming and Booker looks pretty good. He is a little fuzzy now but he will be clipped this weekend. It is also time for a bath.

I look back now at the days right after Franklin's death and our indecision about whether or not to get another dog. Then the sudden urge to search for a rescue dog. Finding him almost immediately just after he had been placed with the rescue outfit. A series of steps which have led to this wonderful experience we are sharing with Booker. Our big boy.

I can now admit how scary this was and how much we both wanted and worried about his fitting in.

Even his size was intimidating at first. He is, at his prime weight, 30% heavier than Franklin. A gentle giant.

But here we are. Success for all of us. He has worked hard as have we. The results are very gratifying.

Labels: Booker