Before I got adopted…

Here is a journal my new family kept during my first few days in foster care:

03/20/2010 – Day 1

~3:30 PM

Sondra arrived safely in her foster home and explored the dog run and the house.  She’s understandably anxious about being somewhere new to her (panting) but seems somewhat comforted by the presence of Sparkle (our dog).

We discovered immediately that steps are not doable at this point, and going into the house causes some anxiety (opening the screen door prompts her to back away and avoid).

 ~ 6 PM

Took Sondra and Sparkle for a short walk. Sondra did great.  Very nice walker!!

Evening Observation:

She responds positively to gentle petting and talking softly (repetitively saying “Sondra is doing great….Sondra is OK… Sondra is fine” seems to calm her anxiety).

8 PM

Sondra finally stopped panting and is lying on the floor next to me as I type this.

The grandfather clock striking 8 PM “woke” her and she got up and walked around, but remains calm and relaxed.  After about one minute, she laid back down by my side and is resting.

Impression of first ½ day:

Sondra was understandably anxious, but is doing very well.  Ears are up/relaxed, still making eye contact, and panting stopped. 

03/21/2010 – Day 2

Sondra and Sparkle are peacefully co-existing (neither showing a lot of interest in the other). Today in the dog run however, there was some mutual sniffing that led to some tail wagging by Sondra!!

No more problems coming in the house.

Sondra is nice to walk (walks leisurely)

Good appetite / no diarrhea (as mentioned may be expected the first few days)

Ask behavior team about “face rubbing” at mealtimes. 

03/23/2010 – Day 4

Sondra seems more “nervous” today and is not making as much eye contact.  (It’s cold and rainy today; her first 3 days here were sunny and warm).  Sondra does NOT like to get her feet wiped (front feet tolerated; back feet not).  Sondra does not like the flash of cameras either (I will have to be more “stealthful” when taking pictures, or take them outside where no flash is needed).

03/25/2010 – Day 6

Everyday, I see small changes in Sondra.  This morning, she ran a short distance in the backyard and ran to the fence with tail wagging (very slightly) when I came back from feeding the donkeys. 

We are getting better at having feet wiped.  She still doesn’t “like” it, but she tolerates having her feet wiped.

In the house, she was lying in her normal spot on the rug next to where I am working.  Usually, when I go sit on the floor with her, she immediately sits up, but today, I laid down next to her and she feel secure enough to not immediately get up.  She seems to enjoy light stroking / massaging of the top of her head & neck, and rubbing of her back (all gently done).  She remained very relaxed, even when I got back up.

Sondra dislikes the sounds that come from the microwave (panting, shaking).