My Valentine...

This year Ben and I decided to not be eachother's valentine... Instead we chose to share our love with this sweet girl:

 Meet Rosie! We honestly didn't plan to adopt her around Valentine's Day, but it just worked out that way. She's a terrier mix (we're thinking mostly Airedale Terrier), she's 6 1/2 years old and she's fitting in great!

 Paco is responding well to having a new dog in the house and most of the time these two could care less where or what the other dog is up to.

So far this is what we've learned in the few short days we've had her:

* She is very kind and respectful. She hasn't tried to get into anything (thus far)

* She is extremely alert with those massive ears of hers. She checks the perimeter often and is getting used to the new sights and sounds of our home/neighborhood.

* She has had obedience training in the past. She can sit, lay down and stay really well. Come is the command she chooses to ignore from time to time.

* She loves her bed and sleeps really well at night.

* Sadly she has had a traumatic past... we are finding out much more than the "happy home life" we were led to believe she had prior to being at the shelter. We are dealing with it slowly and building trust. So far she loves Ben, but not when he's standing or if it's dark in a room. She also has moments where she won't come near you with anything in your hand. Yesterday I had her full food bowl in my hand. She knew it was me, knew it was her food but the combination of the two struck something that made her afraid... It made me sad...

* Each day has been a new adventure and she's opening up more and more showing us her playful personality and what toys she likes.

* However, as she eases overall, the traumatic events get fewer but more extreme... She shredded a couple blankets when we were gone, so at the vet yesterday they suggested no blanket in her crate. She was in a wire crate for a few hours by herself and she completely destroyed the plastic liner! We switched some small details around and got a plastic crate to try for when we are both gone and moved it closer to Paco's crate to see if that helps...

All in all, she's a great dog with a troubled past and we just need to build her confidence and trust. It will happen with time and I know we can't break down all of her barriers in the first four days. So, wish us luck, I will keep you posted as we move forward and welcome Rosie into the family!