Welcome Callie: "Sweet and calm"

Besse has been with us for about a week now and she's settled in well. Today my daughter had a softball practice at the park down the street so I decided that I would walk her down there, bring Besse and stay and watch. It was a beautiful day. I sat on the bench with Besse while the girls practiced and an 11-yr old brother of one of the girls came over and sat down and began talking to me. I think he was initially attracted by Besse but then when he realized that I was willing to listen he took the opportunity to talk and to talk and to talk. This young boy (Ryan is his name) has a future in Sales in my opinion. He told me about his dogs, about his sister, about his Lacrosse team and about his allergies. As I sat there, watched the practice and listened Besse found a comfortable spot in the shade under the bleachers. She poked her head out so she could see what was going on but could still benefit from the shade. Ryan eventually asked to pet her and she was happy to give him a few gentle kisses. Ryan commented on how "sweet and calm" Besse was. Even one of the coaches mentioned that she was such a "calm dog" when he passed by us on the first base line. Some of the softball players came by to greet Besse as well and she did great. She was comfortable and social with them all. Nice job Besse. I think she's likely a dog that you could bring to Starbucks or an outdoor cafe and she would calmly sit underneath the table.

So, is she always so calm and low key? Well, she's still a young dog so she does like to chew (we have plenty of toys and bones around for her) and she does pull some when I walk her. But, she also likes her nap time and as we experienced at the softball game she can settle in and relax even around strangers when she's comfortable.

Yesterday we went to Great America for the day so I had Besse crated almost the whole day and had my dog walker come in around mid-day to let all the dogs out to do their business. I wasn't sure how Besse would do in the crate for the day because in the week she's been with us she's really only in the crate at night and for 30 minutes here and there during the day (when I run the kids to a practice). She did just fine. No problem. She whined a little when we left but was quiet when we got home and there was no signs of her being stressed in her crate (like chewing on her blanket). Good girl.

Besse doesn't go in the crate willingly. I do need to pick her up and put her in there. She is submissive and does crouch down when I try to pick her up. She is sweet and good natured so it's never a problem. We just scoop her up and put her in the crate. My girls do too. Besse has urinated a little when my husband has picked her up. It seems like she gets a little nervous when he does it sometimes. She is shy around him. It takes her a few seconds (literally seconds not even minutes) to warm up to him. If he approaches her she will crouch down but if he sits down she curiously comes up to him looking for some petting. So, when you come to meet her she might be shy at first but will warm up to you quickly.

She does sleep in the crate at night and a few nights ago she did whine a little during the middle of the night. Her crate is in our room so I just told her to be quiet and told her "shhh" and she eventually went back to sleep. I do spoil her a little and will let her snuggle in bed with me while I'm reading before bed time. She is good and finds a spot right next to me to wiggle into.

She hasn't had any true accidents in the house in the week she's been here. That's great! I do work from home so I let all the dogs out several times during the day and I do walk them all daily. But, she has shown us that she knows that potties should be outside. Good girl!

She has met the neighbors and done very well. My neighbor on the one side asked me if she was a black lab puppy. She does have that look to her. But, she's probably almost full grown so will be no where near the size of a black lab. She'll be the <20 pound version of a gentle natured black lab...with a little bit of scruff. She is a Fluffy Dog after all.

Here are some pictures from today.

Thanks for reading and thanks for thinking rescue.