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Flash

Flash was placed as a non-graduate pet dog when he was 10 months old with Elaine and Gordon and their pet dog, Mocha and cat, Kai-bo.  Flash was placed as a non-graduate due to an excess shy factor.  When WAGS’ dogs are adopted by families, they begin to overcome their “issue” and, naturally, change the lives of their new family and the existing pets in the home.  The following are excerpts from emails checking in with us about Flash’s new pet dog life:

 

May 22, 2007
 
            Thought I’d send you a quick update on Flash’s integration into our household – so far, it’s been really good, and he seems to be a completely happy dog.  We’ve had lots of chasing and some friendly wrestling [with Mocha] and no dissatisfaction from either party when we intervene because WE think it’s a bit too rough.  They’re having a great time (which accounts for them sleeping quite a lot since Saturday morning).  If Mocha has a stick or a ball, Flash wants it and she starts a round of “I’ve got it and you don’t” (and then we get more chasing…).  Mocha hasn’t minded (as far as we can tell) that he’s been through her toy basket and has found the toys he likes; he’s managed to redistribute them pretty evenly around the house. …

            On the anxiety side, we’ve had a chance for him to greet two strangers.  First, our neighbor was out in his yard and Mocha dashed over to say hello to her pal; Flash and I were together.  He saw the neighbor, barked once, took a look at Mocha, took a look at me, and then went over to say hello too, with a smile on his face and full body wag going as fast as can be.  He was not at all inclined to hide behind me!  The second greeting came when a delivery man came to the front door; he went right over to his “Place” (as asked) and Mocha took a cue and went into her kennel and the greeting was calm.  The delivery man asked to pet Flash and we invited Flash over and he happily came over – again smiling and wagging.  …

            Now, lounging on the couch means Mocha at my feet in her usual spot, Flash on my lap, and the cat cuddled up on my chest (practically on top of Flash).

 

June 2, 2007

            We took Flash camping with us last weekend and he did GREAT.  I think his favorite thing (next to sleeping all over us in the tent, of course) was learning that all the world in the great outdoors is covered with sticks; his only disappointment was that he was able to only carry three at a time….           

            I’ll just wrap up by saying that we continue to be delighted that he is with us, and I think we’re all blessed by his presence in our home and in our hearts.  We do love him – all of us – “fiercely”.

July 17, 2007

            I wanted to let you know that Flash is still doing well.  The attached pictures from our latest camping trip show how pleased he is to make himself right at home! 

            I’ve noticed how different Flash is when he’s out in a new place without Mocha.  For the first time since the day we met him, he was shy, wuffed a few anxious barks at the vet, hid behind my  legs, and then hid under the chair.  I was projecting confidence, (after all, I know these folks and they have really been good to our animals in the past) so I wasn’t sending an anxious vibe that I know of – but Flash was jittery and definitely wanted to go home.  He wasn’t scary – just unsure, and not happy about the whole treatment room thing.  (He had a different opinion of the stuffed animals in the vet’s toy box, though.)

            Plenty of tasty liver treats later, and he was fine with the vet – not friendly, but okay.  Watching him forced me to think about how different he is when we have him out and about with Mocha.  When they’re together, he looks to her (literally and figuratively) to “figure stuff out”. 

            We’ve been hiking and walking in the dog park and out in our neighborhood and even in small town Wisconsin – but always with the two dogs, and Mocha always takes the lead.  I think I’ve even seen her glance back at him to see where he’s at before she forges ahead.  (I imagine her sending him a message, a sort of “hey, kiddo, it’s okay – watch how I do it!”)  And he prances behind, tail high and waving happily with a smile on his face – and when he’s sure of himself, he bounces ahead.

            They’re really happy together.  Needless to say, next time we go to the vet, Mocha’s coming along!

            So, all is still going well.  I’m still working on getting the cat to be a little happier about accepting Flashy smooches – but that will take some time, I suspect.

August 27, 2008

Flash is still a joy. He is funny and sunny - when we arrive home at the end of a day, he has to get the Toy-of-the-Moment (a squeaky squirrel, The Giant Penguin, or his old favorite, Bear), and as he wags and wags, he tells us all about his day. (He is the most talkative dog I know!) When we go on walks around the neighborhood, all the kids and neighbors know his name, and know he's good for petting and showing off.
I hand the kids treats and have them ask the dogs to sit, walk nicely, go down, or - Flash's favorite - "FLY!!!" - that’s when Flash leaps straight up into the air, with a huge grin on his face. I think it's safe to say that with enough time and treats and patience on all parts, the anxiety has dissipated. He rarely worries about strange situations, and though he still takes Mocha's lead, he's starting to take the lead himself, too. He is a much more confident dog than he was when first we met.

He loves to play, and has become quite adept at catching balls and Frisbees in mid-air - we're now working on the command, "go long!" He loves to be outside, and I think he enjoys hiking at least as much as we do. Indeed, he probably finds it more interesting than we do - he gets to experience all those fabulous smells, after all! He helps while hiking, too, by carrying a small pack with water and treats. So far, I think he's hiked about 35 miles (in short bursts) of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail with us - we're all looking forward to more!

We love him, and I think I speak for all of us - humans, dogs, and cat - when I say we just can't imagine life without him. Thank you so much for helping him to be part of our hearts and lives.

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