We didn’t realize at
first how scared they were. But these are sensitive little souls and all they knew was their Mommy had dropped them off at some strange house with a big scary man and then she disappeared. Jewel took it pretty much in stride but Ollie was terrified. Just look at that little face.
We had a few challenges in the beginning and even went so far as to call the breed rescue about re-homing Ollie. But we were told they wouldn’t take him because of his reactivity and that he should most likely be euthanized. Well, that’s just NOT the way we do things! We found a great vet who works with troubled dogs and she recommended a great trainer and we have been working with Ollie ever since. He will never be a friendly outgoing dog like Jewel, and he will likely be on medication forever, but he has made remarkable progress.
We have had some wonderful times with the dogs over this past year and they have added a ton of fun to our lives. Here are some highlights of their first year with us.
February 7, 2014 – found out these dogs LOVE the snow when a very unusual heavy snowstorm hit the area.
March 2104 – Ollie gets over his fear of Russ and we take some wonderful walks with the dogs.
And that is how the male bonding face licking ritual was born!!
I know...EWWWW - YUK but it works for them! I just try not to look!
In April we bought car seats for the dogs so they could see us and enjoy the view in the car. They loved them right from the start. They had been riding in a crate in the back and they couldn’t see us or anything else.
In May 2014, we took the dogs on their first (and last) trip in the RV. They weren’t bad dogs and are good travelers, but being in new locations and dealing with the unknown was just too much for Ollie. It was then that we started thinking about selling Therapy.
We had a great summer with our pups – no trips in the motor home but lots of day trips around the area…and lots of fun in our own backyard! Jewel worked hard on her squirrel stalking skills.
And Ollie enjoyed the groomer’s interpretation of a summer “trim.”
The fall is always our favorite time of year and this year was no exception. We had a lot of work going on at the house, so we made ourselves scarce as much as possible. We spent a lot of time at the lake and Ollie and Jewel enjoyed the playground equipment just like a couple of kids.
No, Ollie didn’t go down the slide but he sure enjoyed climbing around on the rest of the structure.
…and at the beach…
I never thought I would dress up a dog but these two were just too perfect at Halloween. I mean, don’t you just know they are Princess Leia and the Ewok?
Ollie rather liked his costume but Jewel just put up with it. They didn’t have them on for long!!
And then of course, I had to torture them one more time at Christmas.
It’s been a year of ups and downs, changes, new directions, but most of all love from these two little critters. I can see where Ollie might have been put down in a different environment and I admit he can be hard to deal with at times. But he is so worth it and he has made such progress. I think of Ollie as I would an autistic child. He just cannot handle a lot of input and he is terrified of strangers. That will never go completely away but he is not a “throwaway.” He has so much love to give and he shows that to us everyday. Jewel is the clown that keeps us laughing at her antics. They both have worth and we are so lucky to have them. It’s not always about finding a dog you love, sometimes it’s loving the dog you find.
They have grown to love us and they feel comfortable in their home. Just look how relaxed they are now…
Don’t worry Dad, I’ll keep your place warm. (She does sleep in her crate at night!)
Ollie is so relaxed, he sleeps in his crate all night and I never zip him in. I just love his little foot sticking out here.
So Happy Anniversary Ollie and Jewel – we are so glad you’re home.
