Getting to Know You

There’s a great song from the musical “The King and I” which Anna (a teacher) sings to her new students; the song is called “Getting to Know You.” I feel like that’s what Toby and I have been doing during these last six weeks – getting to know each other. I’m not exactly sure what he thinks, but he seems happy to be here in his new home. I know I’ve loved getting to know him and wanted to record some of my observations before I forget what these beginning weeks were like.

Driving home from the shelter was interesting. He wouldn’t sit still and was afraid in the back seat, so I hauled the dog seat cover in the front and had him sit next to me on the seat, constantly petting him with one hand to keep him in one place (and wondering about the wisdom of going alone to get him!). Partway home it began raining, so I turned on the windshield wipers. Toby was fascinated … at first. He sat up straight and stared (cocking his head sideways) as the wipers came up, only to shrink back in terror as they came down. It was so funny to watch! One of the first things I bought for Toby was a car harness, so now he’s safely settled in the back seat when he comes along in the car.

Toby is quite a different dog today than he was during the first couple weeks when he was so sick. Back then he was docile and quiet, curling his body in close (as if trying to take as little space as possible) when he sat, lying on his dog bed and sleeping much of the time. Because he wouldn’t eat, I would hold ice cubes in my hand for him to lick to keep him hydrated. He would lay there, lifting his head just a bit, and gently lick the ice. I felt so bad for him, but it was definitely part of our bonding process. I’m so glad he’s feeling better.

It has been fun watching Toby learn to play. Although he walked fairly well on a leash and was housebroken, he must not have had opportunities to play wherever he was before. The first few times I threw a tennis ball for him he walked over to it and just looked at it. After a few days he picked it up. When he brought it back to me and I threw it again, it was like a light bulb went off in his head as he discovered a “new” game. About a week later I threw his stuffed animal along with the tennis ball; he ran after both and realized we could play fetch with multiple objects. He’s still trying to figure out how to bring two objects back at once; watching him with both the tennis ball and stuffed animal – first putting one in his mouth and then dropping it to pick the other up – back and forth, is pretty entertaining, but I couldn’t help but laugh as he finally carried the stuffed animal in his mouth while batting the tennis ball down the hall! I can’t wait to bring him to the dog park in a few days for a real game of fetch. For now, our morning and evening routine includes a 5-10 minute fetching time down the hallway.

Toby claimed his favorite spot in the house as soon as he was feeling healthy again. He loves sitting on the loveseat in the living room and looking out the window. It’s a perfect spot, with a view of the driveway and sidewalk. He can watch the squirrels in the yard, the people/dogs walking by, and check out anyone driving up. When I leave the house, he’ll race to his spot by the window and peek out to say goodbye. Of course, when things are really interesting, he’ll run from the loveseat to the front door to the back sliding door and back to the loveseat again. Don’t get in his way; he’s a dog on a mission. In his haste, the couch pillows often end up on the floor. If only he’d put them back. On the bright side, at least he hasn’t chewed them.

Speaking of chewing, I’m learning to keep any paper up high and out of his reach. Thankfully he hasn’t chewed any shoes as of yet. He has two Kong toys – classis Kong and a large bone-shaped Kong that I stuff with treats. He loves chewing them and will work at finding the treats for a little bit, but he either has a short attention span or needs to work a little more on problem solving skills as a few of the treats (usually in the middle of the toy) are often left.

In getting to know Toby, I’ve also found –

• He prefers sleeping on the living room floor, leaning against the couch
• He can’t wait to chase a squirrel, a chipmunk, a rabbit, etc.
• He’s not afraid of bees (yet – he was almost stung yesterday because he wouldn’t leave the bee alone)
• He’s fascinated by fireflies
• He will eat his poop if I don’t watch (I so hope this will change – yuck! – at least I’m keeping the yard picked up)
• He doesn’t know how to climb steps (yet)
• He knows the kitchen is where the food is
• He loves going for walks
• He needs to visit every tree we pass on our walks and lifts his leg every time (even when there’s nothing left to come out)
• He has excellent hearing
• He cocks his head sideways when he’s curious or thinking about something – so cute!
• He’s afraid of his crate (working on this)
• He doesn’t like being closed in or confined – he got the baby gate down (multiple times) when I first confined him to his room when I was gone; I guess he won as he now can be in the living room/kitchen area when I leave (but all other doors are closed off and things are up high)
• He wags his tail when he sees me J

I look forward to discovering more of Toby’s personality and little quirks as I continue to get to know him. I’ve said this before, but I’m so grateful he’s here. My house has life again.

I posted this movie trailer on Facebook, but I love it and wanted a copy of it here on the blog as well.