esrosedotblog

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

Booker just passed his first six months with us.

He is still blossoming and filling out.

This morning on our big Sunday walk, he met a new friend, Joey, a blue point pit bull, for the first time. Joey is also a rescue dog with a sadder history and yet he is a gentle soul.

They were friendly in a sort of off hand way and then, as we talked to the human, Booker lay down and Joey came over and sort of nudged him.

They were off. Full, balls to the wall, play. Up and over and down and around. Play bites and butts. Almost violent but not. Then, suddenly, over.

This is something that has been happening more and more especially with new dogs that he meets. The old friendships seem to have settled into a quiet routine. The new ones are flat out playmates.

This past two weeks he has been seeing a red lab over on the next street. She is a runner. Circles. Then in for a wrestle. A little confusing at first but once he gets into it, Booker can run in circles too, although it doesn't make much sense to him.

He really likes this dog a lot.

Around the house he is sassier than before, telling us when things need to be taken care of. Supper, a ball behind something he cannot get to, time for a walk and so on. Also, at the same time, he is more loving and cuddly.

We have a succession of people who visit the house. He is beginning to form bonds with some of them. The ones he can tell care about him.

The pool man Frank. His good friend Steven. Trish. All get special attention. The head between the legs and the hard push through. Very nice.

So the big thing lately is socialization.

The weather has changed and he is outside much more now. On his own and with us.

The air agrees with him. He seems more comfortable being alone. He used to go out when we did but then come back in. Right now he is off someplace doing something. Out there. Good. The mild separation anxiety has passed. Sometimes he fusses when we leave but it is more scolding for not going along.

We leave him alone in the house now and he does well.

Maybe too well.

We occasionally find "bed prints" and we are sure that he sleeps on the leather couch. No prints.

The toys are still all over the living room. On cleaning day, at the last minute, they go on the chair and as soon as the cleaning is over, he sees that they get put back on the floor. One by one. Almost every one sampled as they are put back.

John is still grooming him. It is working out pretty well. Booker looks good and he does not mind either being bathed or standing for a haircut. Actually a furcut.

Labels: Booker