Chester – Day 15
We have had a number of “firsts” so far and we’re only in the beginning to scratch the surface. Last night Chester slept in his kennel/bed part of the night with his back to the room, not towards the wall. To me, that says a lot … trust and safety and completely relaxed in comfort. This fearful dog is ALWAYS on his guard and to sleep with his back to the
room means a lot.
Another “first” I enjoyed was seeing him walk right past Casey (on two occasions last night) to drink from the large water bowl by the slider door. The bowls there have been hers for the 14 months we’ve had her. Chester knows this is “her” house, “her” people, “her” bowls and toys. So for him to be so bold as to help himself to the large bowl for a drink is another important step in his rehabilitation into our family. He’s now done that all day … they are now community water bowls. Tick off another on the list of “I want to become a family dog”.
In the 2 weeks since Chester arrived, the dogs have had two “tiffs”. The first was when Chester thought I was in danger from Casey’s growling while she and I were playing tug-o-war. The second time involved Casey trying to help herself to a leftover chew bone from under Chester’s table. Casey has only had to defend herself a few times in her life, never before in her own home, so she’s learning a few lessons as well. She has a newly found respect for Chester and his space. This is a good thing.
Late morning and I had promised a friend that I’d to with her to a book reading at a local bookstore. Glenn took Casey and Chester (tandem lead between their halters) for a walk. They trotted along just fine until a neighbor woman called to them from the other side of the street. Glenn didn’t give up, but came home, settled the dogs down and went out again, this time into a large field behind our house. Chester did very well for his first trip by himself with Dad and Casey. Surprisingly to me, he thoroughly enjoyed the part of his walk in the open field. Mostly he prefers more compact areas where he feels he can spot dangers more easily, but he did okay at the dog park the other day and looked completely in his element walking through a open grassy (80 acre) field behind the house.
By evening Chester was making so much progress, Glenn and I just kept looking at each other and smiling. Since Chester spent a lot of time in the basement (family room) with Glenn and Casey today, he missed his Mom (me). So when I was in the family room or sitting on the back patio with them, he didn’t spend much time under tables. He would lie down close to me and let me brush or pet him. One time Casey scooted herself up where she was lying with her head touching one of Chester’s back legs. The neatest thing of all was watching Chester run WITH me and Casey in the back yard just before dinner. Both dogs and I were running, almost side-by-side, back and forth in the yard and Chester was thoroughly enjoying just being part of the fun. It does my heart good to see him enjoy himself and to show off a bit. Casey likes it too because she’s very patiently waiting for him to realize he’s a dog, and her brother, so they can get on with the life of running and playing together any time they want. She continues to approach him at times, tail wagging, like … “come on, let’s have some fun.” Chester is doing so well, in some ways better and sooner than we thought. Oh, and he’s gaining weight – YAY!!!
We know he will have ups and downs, forward and backwards progress, but he is LIVING now … not in a cage being abused and starved, not just hiding in a corner under a table. Whatever else is real to Chester … he has a real family … and he knows it.
Another “first” I enjoyed was seeing him walk right past Casey (on two occasions last night) to drink from the large water bowl by the slider door. The bowls there have been hers for the 14 months we’ve had her. Chester knows this is “her” house, “her” people, “her” bowls and toys. So for him to be so bold as to help himself to the large bowl for a drink is another important step in his rehabilitation into our family. He’s now done that all day … they are now community water bowls. Tick off another on the list of “I want to become a family dog”.
In the 2 weeks since Chester arrived, the dogs have had two “tiffs”. The first was when Chester thought I was in danger from Casey’s growling while she and I were playing tug-o-war. The second time involved Casey trying to help herself to a leftover chew bone from under Chester’s table. Casey has only had to defend herself a few times in her life, never before in her own home, so she’s learning a few lessons as well. She has a newly found respect for Chester and his space. This is a good thing.
Late morning and I had promised a friend that I’d to with her to a book reading at a local bookstore. Glenn took Casey and Chester (tandem lead between their halters) for a walk. They trotted along just fine until a neighbor woman called to them from the other side of the street. Glenn didn’t give up, but came home, settled the dogs down and went out again, this time into a large field behind our house. Chester did very well for his first trip by himself with Dad and Casey. Surprisingly to me, he thoroughly enjoyed the part of his walk in the open field. Mostly he prefers more compact areas where he feels he can spot dangers more easily, but he did okay at the dog park the other day and looked completely in his element walking through a open grassy (80 acre) field behind the house.
By evening Chester was making so much progress, Glenn and I just kept looking at each other and smiling. Since Chester spent a lot of time in the basement (family room) with Glenn and Casey today, he missed his Mom (me). So when I was in the family room or sitting on the back patio with them, he didn’t spend much time under tables. He would lie down close to me and let me brush or pet him. One time Casey scooted herself up where she was lying with her head touching one of Chester’s back legs. The neatest thing of all was watching Chester run WITH me and Casey in the back yard just before dinner. Both dogs and I were running, almost side-by-side, back and forth in the yard and Chester was thoroughly enjoying just being part of the fun. It does my heart good to see him enjoy himself and to show off a bit. Casey likes it too because she’s very patiently waiting for him to realize he’s a dog, and her brother, so they can get on with the life of running and playing together any time they want. She continues to approach him at times, tail wagging, like … “come on, let’s have some fun.” Chester is doing so well, in some ways better and sooner than we thought. Oh, and he’s gaining weight – YAY!!!
We know he will have ups and downs, forward and backwards progress, but he is LIVING now … not in a cage being abused and starved, not just hiding in a corner under a table. Whatever else is real to Chester … he has a real family … and he knows it.
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