12/27/14: Bert and Chase had a first birthday reunion!
3/24/14
Just wanted to check in with you and let you know how well things are going with Bert! We have overcome some challenging periods and at this point, Bert has settled in nicely and made a lot of progress with training! We are looking forward to begin training classes next weekend and our long term goal is to get Bert certified as a Good Citizen.
We've also been thinking about his siblings and wondering how they are doing in their new homes. If for any reason either of them isn't working out for the other families, we'd love the opportunity to adopt them. Hopefully, they are doing well, and if so, would you please pass along my email address in case they are interested in meeting for a puppy play date.
3/10/14
Thank you so much for the advice and encouragement! Bert is off to a good start this week, and didn't seem to mind being alone for a few hours during the day. Yay!
3/8/14
I have been meaning to send you an update all week, but we've been very busy adjusting to life with our new pup. Bert is a wonderful dog and we couldn't be happier! Everyone who meets him instantly falls in love and can't believe how sweet, smart and well behaved he is!
Bert and Saffron have been getting along surprisingly well! We expected that Saffron may have a rough time getting adjusted, but she appears to feel pretty comfortable (and protected), and seems to find him pretty entertaining, too. Bert is still trying to convince Saffron to play with him, and from time to time jumps in her direction or sneaks up from behind her, but he backs off when she gives him a hiss.
Bert is also sleeping really well at night! He sleeps in a kennel in our bedroom -- and falls asleep as soon as we put him in (we do a good job of tiring him out during the day) and he sleeps until my husband wakes him up to potty before he leaves for work at 3:00 am. Then Bert goes back to sleep until I wake up around 7:30 to take him out. He's only had a few accidents in the house, but we've been diligent about taking him out about every hour when he's awake.
The only concern we have is what to do with Bert for a 4-hour period while we are at work during the day. I work at Edmonds Community College and I have a pet friendly department and my own office, so I took Bert to work all of last week, but I do not wish to do this on a permanent basis. We do not feel right about making him stay in a kennel after having to be there all night. One option is to keep him confined to the kitchen area which has a divider door, but we are afraid that he will whine and bark as he does when we have tested this out and disturb our neighbors (we live in a townhouse). Any suggestions you have on this would be appreciated.
Thanks again for checking in with us. You have been so wonderful to work with and we are spreading the word about the good work your shelter is doing. I have attached some photos -- enjoy!
