Jack's first few days at the Funny Farm

Jack is settling in nicely here.  I really thought I struck gold when he didn't make a peep the first night.  Then the second night came and he barked a few minutes after I went to bed. He barked in his kennel for about 10 minutes. That's the time when the door closes to my bedroom and the noise maker goes on. I thought he did pretty good settling down after 10 minutes. It seems like Theo will bark all night long if kenneled.  They will get used to it and it becomes routine for them.  Morning came and my husband got up at his usual 4:30 am. Guess who was out of his kennel and sleeping on the pillow by the bay window? Jack of course. I thought maybe I didn't secure the kennel and made sure to that night. Well wouldn't you know the same thing happened the next day. What a little escape artist!  I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that it's an older wire crate that doesn't latch well. If fact we were going to throw it away until I decided to foster Jack. He's a smart boy and just loves his window seat.

The good thing is he has not had any accidents. Not a one. Love that. Such a good boy. So in the five days I've had him I'm calling him potty trained.  

Another thing people are curious about is if he gets along with cats. The answer would have to be yes. He gets along with cats. He met the infamous Pumpkin. You should've seen his face. He froze and was like, "What the hell is that thing?"  He just stood really still Sigorney Weaver did in Alien when it was checking her out. He didn't growl or anything when Pumpkin started rubbing up against him. He also didn't run away. He just kind of backed up slowely, turned around, and walked away very slowly. Pumpkin comes in to our bedroom every night and has to pass Jack on the way. Jack doesn't try to chase him. "Respect the cat" is probably what he is thinking. LOL

Finally here are some pictures of Jack getting used to the yard. I will not take the chance to ever let him off leash and neither should you, forever family. It would take lots of time if you were ever thinking of it. Never assume he will come to you. He is a very shy, scared boy.  He is afraid of my husband and we are working on that. I think with time and hand feeding he should feel comfortable soon.  I am also exposing him to life. He comes to the daycare with me and goes out with all the dogs. He will growl a little. Definitely less than before. Here's a tip. If you pet and give attention to another dog he will come up and try to get your attention not caring about the other dog so much. I've done this to get him to meet and smell other dogs and let them smell him as well as at home with my husband. He will start to pet Kinsey and Jack will come over and want pets. Where as if Kinsey weren't around he might stretch to smell and give a quick lick to my husbands hand.

Jack next to Kinsey and the hole she dug.

Getting to know the yard.

Chill'n 

Yoga anyone?

Theo and Jack 

The beginning of Jack's journey.

Jack is learning to be social with other dogs. This is the starting point. There always has to be a before and after. You might view this as him being scared and in the corner. He met a lot of dogs and growled at first when they came up to sniff him. Here he is actually a little more relaxed. After five minutes of being in the kennel he was actually letting other dogs approach him without growling. That is a huge baby step. He even got some sniffs in himself. Every day he learns something new and gets exposed to different things. He is gaining confidence little by little. One day soon he will not live in fear because that is no way to live.  We could all learn a thing or two from Jack. Get out there. Take risks. Do not be afraid. Live!

Thanks for thinking rescue!

Saving one dog at a time,

Stephanie