He was very timid. Any sudden movement or loud noise would scare him. He would run and cower. And he made himself a spot underneath one of the end tables which was the only place he felt safe. He wouldn't eat if anyone was around or looking at him, and even then only a few bites and he would run and hide again. He had a obvious distrust of men, and would avoid Michael as much as possible. But he LOVES other dogs, and would cautiously approach any friend he could, little tucked tail wagging.
I took him to work with me every day, so he wasn't locked up alone with my other dogs, and he would get used to constantly changing environments with new people and dogs. He surprised me with not only how well he does with children, but how much he likes them. Eagerly trying to get attention from the tiny people. He HATES getting in the car. He will drag his feet in as soon as you get close and then you have to pick him up and put him in. As soon as the car door closes him in he darts underneath the seat and starts shaking. Every day for the first week we did this he would throw up at some point during our 10 minute commute. But as he started to realize that I wasn't returning him or going to leave him anywhere unpleasant he relaxed enough to stop getting sick so often. Every now and then we have a bad day- but usually he can contain it.
After about 2 weeks he started testing the water. If I was sitting alone on the couch he would slowly and ever so politely sneak up and sit next to me. Finally sitting close enough he was curled up against me. He would sleep in the dog bed next to my side of the bed, and stopped hiding in the closet all night. He started running and playing with the dogs, barking and play growling. His ears perked up and he will make eye contact when you talk to him and tilt his head. If you ask him if he wants treats or to go outside he will do this excited little hop dance.
He fit right in with our family and we couldnt imagine passing him on to someone else. Having him get comfortable and feel at home with us and then get sent on his way yet again.
I asked Michael what he thought about getting a third dog, and he said exactly what I was feeling "If WE don't take care of him, who will? He will end up bouncing from home to home again."
So Today we officially adopted him.
He is still nervous and scared of random things (like taking a picture with his cake 😅) But every day he comes out of his fear a little more. He is getting comfortable and seems at home with us now.
We have a canvas painting in our home of Our hand prints with our dogs paw prints. After we went down and signed the adoption papers we bought him an adoption cake and came home to add his paws to the painting. So now its Official.
His original name was Rufus but we just call him Rue.
I have a video we are making for his first month with us. It will be posted Mid- March.
