New Household Member

[W3WN]

We lost Miss Finnley at the beginning of June.

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We estimate she was about 14 1/2, and her back legs went out on her.

Just found a new puppy (well, 3 years old) at one of the shelters. Meet Freya, shown here with The Unwilting Tatiana:

[WZ7U]

Hi Freya. Good dog. Woof. Grr grrr yip. Woof.

[KG4CGC]

Congratulations.

[n6hcm]

both handsome doggos!

[ad4mg]

Nice! We just recently had to put Penny down (my avatar & 13 yrs old). Much grief involved, and after almost 6 weeks, still not over it.

All of our companions were rescues, and I'll seek another, but not until the pain from Penny leaving relents.

[WZ7U]

Rescues are the way to go. The last two here were rescues and should (when) the need arise again, off to the pound we go.

Sorry for your loss, theirs is a big hole to fill.

[W3WN]

Rescues are the way to go. The last two here were rescues and should (when) the need arise again, off to the pound we go.

Sorry for your loss, theirs is a big hole to fill.
Miss Finnley was a full-grown purebred Great Pyrenees. If we'd had to dig a grave for her, that WOULD have been a big hole to fill! :icon_wink:

And with one exception, all of our dogs since we got hitched have been rescues. My mother-in-law at one point insisted on getting us a Shih Tzu as a puppy... this was almost 30 years ago, right before The Unwilting was born, but that's another story... and I agree, at least for us, that's the best way. Although it's getting a little tougher, the shelters around here are getting a lot of pit bull and pit bull mixes turned in, and while I don't have a problem with the breed, the neighbors here this and start getting nervous...

[n6hcm]

eh. rescues often have a healthy supply of not-pit-bulls.

I'm still looking for a second kitty so current kitty doesn't get lonely.

[WZ7U]

Timing plays a role in selection, regardless of species. The trick is to believe in the 'it was meant to be on one trip' camp or 'troll the shelter over a period of time' strategy. Regardless, it should be obvious if you found 'the one' in just a few moments upon meeting. That's been my reality, and only my perspective, so your famous mileage may sadly vary.

Full disclosure - most recent adoption was obvious in the first 5 seconds. I hadn't personally seen actual love at first sight until this one. Willow was googley eyed up front, only took another couple minutes for me to see the reality for myself. They pick their people and there's not much changing it. Second recent was a rehoming from extended family. Phoebe picked her name from lists we read her when asked what she wanted to be called. Her previous name Rain wasn't being acknowledged, so we asked her dozens of names. Smart gsd for ya. The most recent addition came to us through a family members passing. Baby Girl was moms from a litter where we had her sister and uncle. BG is going to be 19 in October and she has totally latched onto Mrs U.

Yes, between ours and mom's cats, we're at four. They all get along well with one exception, and the dogs are good with the cats. Then there's the goats and chickens, but that's a different thread. Plenty of opportunity to grieve great friends coming in our future at the radio ranch. I imagine like all of us do.

[W3WN]

Well, I've got some unfortunate news.

Things are not going well with Freya. She's showing less and less interest in us and in being inside every day. Since she found a burrow of sorts under the back deck, it's become her hiding spot. She's not responding when we call her, and she no longer accepts bribes treats to coax her out.

Yesterday, she did come in the house for a minute (to steal another one of Tatianna's stuffed animals for her cubby hold) and when Julie opened the front door to check on the mail delivery, Freya hit full speed and ran out the front door. Julie's bad leg didn't let her chase, fortunately the next door neighbors were home and helped corral her. Freya has pretty much ignored The Boss ever since.

It's looking like a poor match, and that's not fair to her either.

I'm waiting to hear back from the shelter. She's going to have to go back. I really hate to do it, but I don't think we have a choice.

[WZ7U]

Aww, that's rough. I hope you can get it resolved so Freya can get back to being happy. Sorry to hear this, but it does happen

[W3WN]

We talked this evening with someone from the shelter and went over the situation. We'll be taking Freya back on Sunday. We're not happy about it, but the poor dog is not happy either, and shows little interest in us.

We've had multiple people tell us that our expectations for a husky were way off. Well, I haven't had many dogs in my life, and the Boss has never had a husky before, either. And in hindsight, yeah, we should have done more research. We'll be more careful the next time.

[W3WN]

...so the shelter called us back yesterday evening. We explained the situation and our concerns. Shelter worker told us that it often takes 3 weeks before the rescue dog starts getting comfortable, and they recommend 3 months before we give up. But our minds were pretty much made up, so we're currently scheduled for returning Freya on Sunday afternoon.

Didn't feel right about it. Little Miss Field Day thinks we're being premature, as well.

But... we slept on it. And The Boss is having second thoughts. Freya is also much friendlier today... she's been in and out about a half dozen times today and tonight, and starting to interact with us (playing catch, playing tug of war, curling up next to one of us, and so on). She just came in as I'm typing, and came right in and sat down next to me.

It looks like we're going to give it a little more time.

[n6hcm]

they know...

it really does take time.

The chonk I'm thinking about adopting is at a rescue that has a super intrusive application and I'm having an internal debate about whether or not I want to do that.

[WZ7U]

Good news. I'm glad you heard about the 3 & 3 thing, I had forgotten that. It's good that she is warming up to you, I bet she ends up an excellent doggo for you after all.

[KG4CGC]

Well? Updates! Tell us her newest news!

[W3WN]

Well? Updates! Tell us her newest news!
I think these speak for themselves...
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We finally got some rain today. Freya was hiding under the back porch (she's basically got herself a little cubbyhole retreat there), came out when the rain stopped. Nice and muddy. But sat there and let us clean her up.

[KG4CGC]

:heart::heart::heart: