Winnie the Pooh Settles In

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Well, the last couple of days have been an adventure. Winston (I've decided to keep his name) has been quite sad and timid but he is getting more comfortable.  When he is nervous or sad, he burries his head in my lap and waits to be comforted. He did this to the groomer this afternoon too and the groomer just about teared up by how sweet he was.

 

At home I threw out my futon and turned the guest bedroom into his room. I put his stinky old bed (gotta get him a new one) and his food dishes (these are quite nice so I think I'll keep em) in the room, and I got him some new toys (his owner didn't give me any toys for him, I guess he didn't have any)...

 

Giving him his own room has helped him I think. It is a place to go to get away from bouncy, kissy, Sophie-Bear, and to eat and rest in peace. I've been keeping him in the room with the door closed while I'm at work to make sure he doesn't get into any mischief with Sophie. He handles this very well.

 

When we are at home of course I let him have free reign of the whole place. He likes lying on the cool floor by the front door, or playing with Sophie in the living room. Sometimes he sits nicely beside me and puts his paw on my leg or arm asking to be pet. I don't think there's anything sweeter in the whole world.

 

When I went to bed last night Sophie Bear took her usual spot on floor by the foot of the bed, Penelope started crawling all over me as usual, and Winston stood there in the doorway of my room, looking at me. That's when I realized he was probably confused about where he was supposed to sleep, having been used to sleeping in the basement in his old house. I called him to my side and comforted him and he eventually settled on the floor beside me where he stayed all night.

 

We've gone for many a long walks and he is so so good, only pulling when he encounters the occassional squirrel. In the park, he greeted many new friends with ease and didn't show any signs of discomfort. I can tell Sophie-Bear is proud to show off her new big brother to all her friends. Winston likes to chase balls and sticks and really perked up when we were running on the grass chasing each other. I was so happy to see him come alive like that.

 

This afternoon I took Winston to the groomer, who adored him from the get-go. I was a little worried at first because he was so nervous, but after I picked him up and brought him home he seemed so much happier, and I'm pretty sure his skin is a little less itchy. And Oh Boy, is he ever handsome now with his clean soft fuzzy fur.

 

All Clean Winnie-Poo!

Pretty Soon you'll be as good as new!

[Clifford, Cloud, Jake..and Kim]

There's the smile I knew would show up!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Thank you for posting this update, Sherri! Love this story but most of all love the smile on his face in the photo. Hooray!

[Ginny Nightingale]

Wonderful news and you are handling all of his adjustments to well--Bravo!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Winston is gorgeous and look at how happy he looks in the photo you posted.  You really got a gem of a dog. There may be some bumps along the way with settling in and rules, but I can't imagine it will be serious and that you won't be able to handle it with ease. Congratulations to you and to Winston. I am so glad you stepped in and persevered. I look forward to seeing more pictures of him.

[Carol and Banjo]

Winston looks soooooo cute and sweet!  What a love!   Thanks so much for sharing your first few days....what a great doodle mom you are!!!!     How anyone could give up this dog is beyond me : (

[Ronna, Murphy & Wilson]

He looks so handsome and happy!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Lovely telling of a wonderful story of love and acceptance. What a lucky guy and his very own room and sleeping with everyone and groomed to perfection and too many good things to count.

[Kate]

He's beautiful! He looks so soft! And happier. I just got tears in my eyes reading this. It's so wonderful. He is so lucky to have found you, Sherri, and he sounds like a fantastically sweet dog!

[Rose Ann and Amante]

You are an angel!

 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Sherri, after reading this I am totally convinced that Winnie belongs with you....it was meant to be.  Thank you for letting us join in this journey.

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

All I can say is "awwwwww!" I just love him! Lucky dog and lucky you!!

He looks a lot like Knox who is an English F1 GD. How much does he weigh??

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I will find out how much he weighs when we visit the vet tomorrow. I'm guessing about 60-70lbs but I'll let you know.