Little Dog found his forever home....with us!

[Christina and Cooper plus Benny]

Well, as many of you know, we adopted Little Dog (aka Benny) and then were completely overwhelmed with everything going on in our lives and were going to just be fosters and find Benny a new forever home.  Our current dog, Cooper, hated little Benny and got sick and was not himself.  I felt horribly guilty that I had adopted Little Dog and had made Cooper unhappy.  And Benny was very needy and brutally thin.  But then...something pretty amazing happened...Benny put on a couple of pounds and started to act like a dog, and Coop decided he liked the little guy!  About two weeks ago, Benny just came up to Cooper and nipped his ear and did a play bow, and it was on!  They had zoomies around the house for about 30 minutes and have been pals ever since.  Benny has learned he is number 2 dog, no doubt about it, and Coop has settled in to having a little brother. 

Benny started "school" last week and is getting some basic manners.  He has mastered sit so far, and we are working very very hard on getting him to come when called.  He thinks it's funny to run and be chased (of course we don't chase) and was obviously chased in his previous life.  Hard hard hard habit to break, but we are getting there. 

We all went camping the past two weekends, and Benny is starting to get the routine.  We go places where we are the only ones around and he can be off leash and we can work on the whole coming when called issue and he has a chance to finally be a dog!  My favorite is when both boys "do their business" and then kick with their back paws.  Love it!

So... we have all settled in to a routine.  Benny sleeps between our pillows and Coop sleeps at our feet.  All is right in the world!

I go to Seattle this Tuesday to have my trachea evaluated and hopefully will have surgery on Thursday if all goes well.  The boys will all go along.  We are taking the RV so they will have a comfy place to stay.  And as an added bonus, Benny is a big snuggle bug, so he will be a comfort as I am recovering.  :) 

Thank you all for your advice and more importantly your understanding as we dealt with the upheaval in our home.  Knowing that others had gone through similar things when they added a second dog was a huge comfort.  Plus, knowing that I had a way out and could just be a foster and get Benny on his way to a good home made it possible for me to relax and see Benny as a number two dog and sort things out.  That was a huge mental shift for me, and made this all possible.  Thank you!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Wow it sounds like things turned around really fast for you guys! That's just great and I'm so glad that he has such a wonderful forever home! Thanks for the update and I'm so happy to hear that things worked out so well!

I hope that your surgery is a success and you can put that problem behind you too!  You're in our prayers please keep us posted!

[Jennifer]

YAY!!! I'm so glad things worked out for everyone.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Nothing I enjoy saying more than "Another happily ever after"!    Yeah!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Christina, I'm so glad to hear that Cooper and benny have worked out their pack order and Benny is now a member of your family! Good luck with your surgery, I hope it goes smoothly and you have a fast, easy recovery.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

This is great news!  He looks quite a bit like he has some cairn in him. I grew up with cairns and they are pretty darn cute :)

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I'm so happy about this happy ending!!! :)

[Bonnie and Kona]

Christine, I'm so happy for all of you that this has worked out well for your family. Enjoy Cooper and Benny. Hoping your health improves dramatically. hugs  

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I'm so happy to hear this news.  Sometimes just a little time is all that is needed.  I'm guessing that Cooper and Benny will be BFFs!  Good luck with the surgery.

[Adina P]

Congratulations on your new furry family member =)

[Carol and Banjo]

Christina   This is such a great post!!!!    I'm thrilled things have worked out for humans and doggies alike!   Sending my best to you and DH for a happy and healthy future!

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Great news about Benny - he sure is a cutie!  Glad you were all able to work things out.  Hope all goes well with the potential surgery.  Keep us posted.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Great news Christina and you wear your Toodle well!