First days in foster

The ride home on Saturday was such an adventure for IRU (aka Rudy). He stood in the back of the car so curious to see everything along the way until he was just too tired and took the rest of the trip laying down. He did very well in the car – not nervous or crying – just curious. Once home he met the family (4 greyhounds) and spent the day exploring. The first 2 days were stressful for us both – he just didn’t know how to ‘be’ in the house – where to go – where to lay. But now he is a pro! I’m so happy with him. It’s been just 4 days and he made himself right at home. Rudy discovered the wonder of laying on a nice soft dog bed – it took a few days before he understood that he could rest outside of the crate. Once he discovered it was OK to lay on the dog bed he picked one out that he goes to every time. When it’s bed time he starts to make little noises and I invited him into the crate which he ran in and laid down immediately. He was so ready to go to sleep but wouldn’t go in the crate until I told him it was OK. He was the same with entering the house from the back yard. In the morning I leave the back door open for the dogs to go out to the yard when they want and he learned he could go out but he always waited at the door to be invited back in. He is still figuring out the rules but every day he makes progress and it s a joy to watch him feel more at home and more comfortable each day.

Rudy eats quickly – like most of the dogs right off the track – but he is very considerate of the other dogs. As much as he wants to move on to their dishes he will not try to eat from their dish if they are still there. I’ve got him in the habit of leaving the room after he finishes his meal so the others can eat slowly. He is non-aggressive and will easily fit in with a family with other dogs.

He is such a funny boy – and full of energy! So different from my 4 senior fur kids. He greets me each morning and when I come home with such enthusiasm! We are working now on how to play with toys. I’ve been throwing the ball for him in the back yard and he takes off like a flash to chase it but he’s not sure what to do when he gets there so he zooms around the yard for a minute and comes back to me so happy. Rudy loves to have his pet time and he’s a great leaner too! Someone is really going to enjoy this boy!