On May 13 it was the third anniversary of the day I picked Ole up at the Anchorage airport. I must say I could not have chosen a better dog from a good breeder as far as temperment, intelligence and health go! He's no show dog, but that's not really an issue in Alaska unless one is independently wealthy or owns an airplane.
He's always been a non-licker. In fact, he has always disliked having even a beloved human's face close to his face. He would always turn away and seem very uneasy. Not as if he'd fear-bite, but he just didn't like it.
In addition, he would never, ever lick me or anyone else unless we were food-flavored. He has never, ever submissively licked Sofia's mouth, either, even though he shows his compliance with her Highness Rule in other ways she apparently finds acceptable.
He's gone from having separation anxiety to being able to stay at home with Sofie, making my life much easier! Naturally there are arrangements that must be put in place: duct taping the cupboard under the sink so he can't get it open, bungie-cording the dog food cupboard closed, moving the garbage and paper barrels into the bathroom and shutting the doors to the bathroom and the office. Putting up a baby gate at the top of the stairs so Sofie doesn't eat Bucky Bird. Checking that Ole can't reach anything, such as the butter dish, pens, pencils, tape, push pins, etc. etc. etc.
The two doors have handicapped lever knobs. Sofie knows how to open them and it won't be long before they both do....so I toss dog food kibbles all over the floor before I leave. :o) Or fill Kongs.
The longest I've left them is 4.5 hours. The last three times I came home, OLE SMOOCHED ME! The first time it was just a quick run-by smooching. The second time I was sitting on the stairs and he ran up and gave me a good one! Got my ears, too.
This morning I was only gone two hours to go to the dentist. When I came home Ole was just ecstatic! I motioned to the stairs. He went and sat down and I sat down on the stair below him and he gave me a HUGE poochy smoochy on the lips and ONE ON EACH CHEEK! Then he sat back, tipped his head back and AROOOOOOOOED for joy!
Yes. I think this adoption is going quite well.
He's always been a non-licker. In fact, he has always disliked having even a beloved human's face close to his face. He would always turn away and seem very uneasy. Not as if he'd fear-bite, but he just didn't like it.
In addition, he would never, ever lick me or anyone else unless we were food-flavored. He has never, ever submissively licked Sofia's mouth, either, even though he shows his compliance with her Highness Rule in other ways she apparently finds acceptable.
He's gone from having separation anxiety to being able to stay at home with Sofie, making my life much easier! Naturally there are arrangements that must be put in place: duct taping the cupboard under the sink so he can't get it open, bungie-cording the dog food cupboard closed, moving the garbage and paper barrels into the bathroom and shutting the doors to the bathroom and the office. Putting up a baby gate at the top of the stairs so Sofie doesn't eat Bucky Bird. Checking that Ole can't reach anything, such as the butter dish, pens, pencils, tape, push pins, etc. etc. etc.
The two doors have handicapped lever knobs. Sofie knows how to open them and it won't be long before they both do....so I toss dog food kibbles all over the floor before I leave. :o) Or fill Kongs.
The longest I've left them is 4.5 hours. The last three times I came home, OLE SMOOCHED ME! The first time it was just a quick run-by smooching. The second time I was sitting on the stairs and he ran up and gave me a good one! Got my ears, too.
This morning I was only gone two hours to go to the dentist. When I came home Ole was just ecstatic! I motioned to the stairs. He went and sat down and I sat down on the stair below him and he gave me a HUGE poochy smoochy on the lips and ONE ON EACH CHEEK! Then he sat back, tipped his head back and AROOOOOOOOED for joy!
Yes. I think this adoption is going quite well.
