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!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

 I am happy for you and your family and lil Benny too.  I wonder if Cooper stayed away because Benny was sick and weak?  Animals know.

This one was meant to be.  It also gives you a reason to get better.  And you will.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I am so glad things worked out.  They usually do, but not before we second guess ourselves and feel that we have made a huge mistake.  Here is wishing you lots of good snuggles while you recover.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Christina, you are a Saint and I am so happy for you and your family.

Little dog, now Benny was meant to be.

Good luck with your surgery.

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

I am sooo glad everything worked out with Benny and Cooper!  That is so cute!  I have heard from many people that sometimes it just takes time.  Sounds like this was one of those cases.  Soon, they will be absolutely inseparable.  I wish you all the best with your surgery.  You are a marathoner, right?  That means you're tough.  You will get through fine.  No question.  Snuggle with your babies & get better!

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

So very glad to hear that all is well with "the boys".  Two dogs can be a very lot of fun.

 

Hope all goes well with your trachea.

[BG and Gavin]

Wow I am so happy for you!  It sounds like your lifestyle would be a dream come true for dogs!

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

Benny must think he's in Heaven getting to sleep between your pillows! Wow! I am so glad to hear that all of you have adjusted! Best of luck next week with surgery! We'll be anxious to hear from you afterwards!

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

SO SO HAPPY to hear this! Good job! Benny is a cutie for sure!

Good luck with your surgery!

[Donna K & Quincy]

Nice to hear that things have worked themselves out and that Benny has found his forever home. The picture is just adorable. Good luck with you upcoming surgery.