Skittles

After a lot of back and forth starting in June or so, we made the decision to really get a second dog. We knew we wanted an older one to match Pepper's energy level. I was also leaning toward a smaller one to make it easier on me to handle both during the walk and avoid breaking my back during grooming tasks. So, along came Florence/Calliope/Callie - and now Skittles. She was found a month ago as a very skinny stray and taken in by the Humane Society of Yakima. Two weeks later she was transferred to a smaller rescue organization (All Mutts Great and Small) that is foster based. She was diagnosed with kennel cough, went through a full treatment of antibiotics, and had a chest X-ray before she came to us to confirm she didn't have pneumonia since she was still coughing. So here's her story:

Day 1, Sunday 08/11/19: Jan, Pepper, and I drove to Maryhill State Park in WA to pick her up. Becky from All Mutts had agreed to meet us there (halfway), which was really kind of her. The first meet and greet went really well! Not too much excitement, everybody was happy, no growling. All very good signs!

After a brief walk through the State Park we drove a short distance to a Petco to get her an official name tag. She did well! And she and Pepper did a good job inside the Petco and waiting for Jan outside the Starbucks. Already they were very comfortable around each other.

During the 2-hour car ride home, Skittle settled down on my lap and eventually even fell asleep. 

Back home, we first took them on a walk to bond.

After the walk they immediately drank out of the same water bowl. Very good sign!

The first night was a bit rough. We had her in a kennel to confine her, which she was OK with, but her coughing kept us awake. Every few hours she would get this really bad coughing fit that was impossible to ignore. Poor girl (and poor us to be honest!). So.. short night (which wasn't unexpected).

Day 2, Monday 08/12: Today I drove with both of them to work. Pepper was on the passenger seat next to me and Skittles was in the back. Smooth and uneventful. She also did very well in the office.

On the way home she was so excited to get in the car, she decided to drive herself (I didn't let her ;)). 

She was more relaxed around her food bowl (the previous day she would only eat a few kibbles at a time, and only while I was sitting next to the bowl). In the evening we locked her into our computer room so she was confined to a small (but larger than a kennel) space and could look outside into the hallway. She did very well! No accidents, and one happy doggo in the morning.

Day 3, 08/13: The two are getting along better and better. They're also walking well together. And, based on the positive interactions so far, I put both of them in the back of the car. They kept a little bit of a distance, but were very comfortable around each other. 

In the afternoon we then had some really big breakthroughs. For some reason Skittles was afraid going down our stairs. Up was OKish, but down was a nono. Not sure why since she mastered the stairs at work just fine. So today I sat a few stairs down and called Pepper to me, and guess what - Skittle decided that she can do it too and came as well! Huge progress! We also ran up and down the stairs a few time, and she watched Pepper play with his favorite toy. She doesn't care at all about toys, has no idea what to do with them. All of this was a really good bonding experience. 

In the evening we let both dogs into our bedroom with the door cracked so George could run in and out (but not the dogs). Again, it went very well!

Day 4, 08/14: Another day, more progress. After the walk this morning I popped both dogs into the back of the car and left them alone there (for the first time) to go to the bathroom. When I came back I found them like this, holding paws. I guess it's fair to say that they're very much OK with the other dog around!

Arrival at work - Skittles is ready to go (while Pepper is still snoozing).

Pepper had a nice nap at work wrapped in a blanket since he was sleeping right next to the AC where it can get a bit cold. 

I also took Skittles out of the office without a leash to walk around with her a little. She's starting to pick up on her name (not a good recall yet, but at least there's some reaction to the sound of her name). I don't think I mentioned this, but she doesn't know even the most basic commands like sit or down. So... there's some work ahead of me. 

Day 5, 08/15: More progress. Skittles is getting more and more comfortable at home and at work. Here are all three of them just napping together. George of course has the best spot :). 

It was a long day today since Jule, Soso, and Phryne arrive tonight at 11 pm (I can't remember the last time I stayed up that late!). To make things easier I locked the dogs into the bedroom and postponed the meeting until tomorrow.

Day 6, 08/16: First meeting of the dogs and the girls. Pepper was of course amazing as always. He's just a lover. I deeply love this dog and can't imagine a better one ever. Skittles did very well too! I was a bit worried that she maybe would get intimidated, but even though she was a bit shy at times, she was very gentle and let the girls pet her. They were also amazing and gave her gentle strokes. Very proud of all three of them :). 

In the evening we let the dogs run around in the yard, and Skittles showed that she does have a dominant streak by peeing over Pepper's pee. So... got to address that!

Day 7, 08/17: Today I started working with Skittles for real, now that she's feeling more comfortable and knows me better. For now, she can only walk next to me and can only pee/poop on level ground. I also don't allow her to mark on the walks or pee over Pepper's pee. That works really well - she's picking up on things quickly. I've also started carrying treats with me to train her (which Pepper also really appreciates because, guess what, he is also the recipient of a LOT more treats than usual :)).