esrosedotblog

DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL

Booker has adapted very nicely to the new place.

We quit taking him back to the old house because it seemed to be confusing for him. It is hard to tell because it is hot and so staying inside while I go do some work isn't a sign of anything about regret, necessarily. It might just be that it is too fucking hot to go outside with me and he has never been fond of being around the hose anyway.

In any case, we have quit taking him over there. Actually, I don't much like going every day to water and check it out either. I am done.

Adapting to the new place has involved Booker's knowing where his turf is. He has gotten pretty good at that. It is diminished in size from the big yard but that doesn't seem to bother him. Maybe he was looking to downsize too.

He hasn't yet settled down on an all night sleeping place. He goes almost everywhere except his own bed in our room. Same bed, new corner. No dice. We have tried to get him in it and he will not go. Stay.

He sleeps by the front door, the slider in front and on the living room rug. Sometimes in the alcove just outside our bedroom.

I see these as guarding positions. We aren't settled. The campfire is just enough to keep us warm and he is going to watch the perimeters for us.

At first, he reverted to some old behaviors. Nothing serious. Just little things.

He has had a little return of his original separation anxiety but we have been working on it and, now, he seems OK. We went for an hour the other day to sign escrow papers. John had to go take the Volvo in for a minor problem while I had a Meeting. He has been fine.

One thing though. When we return there are dog prints on our bed.

Today, we went to the community pool for the first time. See above.

He can't go there. No problem, the pool sort of freaked him out anyway at the other house.

Today we went one at a time. No particular reason. John went, then me. I came home first.

When I got back there were bed prints.

We are OK with this. If it makes him feel better we are willing to give him some slack as long as he doesn't get into the bed with us or while we are around.

I know. It is kind of wussy to leave it like this. And he sort of knows that we know that he did it too. Dads can tell this kind of thing.

I know. Some people let their dogs into bed and it all works out. We have never done that and are not likely to relent.

But we will live with the ambiguity. If lying on our bed makes his stay alone better and happier so be it.

He won't tell and we won't ask.

Labels: Booker