Ladybird
They all came to Better Days when the puppies were about 3 months old. The puppies never had any human contact and were wild. When she came to us she was scared of everything and everyone - but thankfully she still had her puppies to comfort her. She would sit in the back corner of the room and just shake if you focused your attention on her.....and over time, she would come to you and lick your hand if you werent looking. But as soon as you looked at her, off she went back into her corner....and that is how we built our trust for a few months.
Over time she learned that Love and Trust could be found at BetterDays - and she eventually learned her name and the sound of the voices that took care of her. Slowly her babies found their homes - leaving just her and her last puppy - Bertie. They were adjusting to life in the shelter and bonding with humans and animals - such a great feeling to see this sweet sweet girl come to life and know she was loved. Her personality started to come through and she was just as pretty on the inside as she was on the outside.
We could not be happier for Ladybird and all of her babies, as her last puppy has also recently found her forever home with a wonderful new dad and furry older brother. Seeing Ladybird leave BetterDays was ever so bittersweet - because I knew where she was going would be filled with a lifetime and love to make up for all that she had missed until now. But I also knew that I would miss her very much, as she brightened my day when I entered the shelter just by seeing her pretty face and seeing her reaction when I called her name. Here are updates from her new mom and dad as she settles in at her forever home:
Week 1:
**She stayed in her 'house' (kennel) while we were at work. She didn't even cry when I left in the morning. Overall, she's been doing great and we're so happy to have her. It completely blows my mind that such a sweet dog couldn't find a home before us.
**Ladybird has been doing great! She is really warming up to both of us and has been behind my heels every waking moment. At first she didn't know what to do. She was afraid of the dishwasher opening and closing, if I moved a chair she thought that was amazing, she was really unsure about coming down the stairs, and cars - she's still totally wigged out every time they drive by...
**We have been taking her outside about every 2 hours and she's peed for both of us. I caught her tinkling (it was our last dog's favorite spot - grr) on our first night home but I stopped her and took her outside right away. Other than that she's been really easy to housebreak.
**We took a family trip to Pet Smart yesterday and she had SO many admirers. Moms and kids think she's pretty and all the big truck guys want to take her hunting. We're both so surprised that no one adopted her before we did. She's such a lovely dog.
**She's been really quiet, but she
gets very excited when she sees us again. It might even be for a
minute - like me going to the bathroom. As soon as I pop my head out
she's wagging her tail and giving me kisses! I think she's just
surprised that we're back and didn't leave her.
**The kenneling at night has been pretty easy. She cried for about 10
minutes on Friday and woke up at 6 the next morning barking. Last
night and this morning she was completely quiet. She's a really quick
learner.
I'm so happy to have another dog at home. I was really depressed since
we put Sandy down, and Ladybird is not a replacement for Sandy but
she's a continuation of saving one dog at a time.
Week2:
** Ladybird is adjusting nicely to our home. She has warmed up to both of us and has been doing all the normal doggie things - eating, cleaning herself, romping through the house.
** Ladybird has been happy. She has really warmed up to us and we LOVE her so much. She actually went straight to the door and went potty right away. My husband was such a proud father!
**Now that Ladybird is more comfortable around us I have already taught her how to sit. She does it nearly every time I give the command. The only time she forgets is when she is very excited - like when we get home or if I walk away from her and walk back. I am undecided if I will teach her to lay down or to come next.
**Ladybird still gets VERY excited every time she sees me. I might open the door, walk out to water the plants and when I come back she jumps and makes all over me like I've been gone a year! It's quite rewarding to have such a faithful companion.
From all the volunteers at Better Days: We love you Ladybird and know you will have a great life!!!