Random Thoughts - January 19, 2008

Today I had to transport another rescue dog who was going from Illinois to the Pennsylvania area. Met up with a girl in Bradley Illinois and drove the dog to its second leg of the trip. I was gone from 9am until 3:30 and was worried Sarah might go to the bathroom but she didn't. That is the longest, except overnight, that I had left her without taking her out. I was afraid she may go to the bathroom in the house while I was gone. I was happy to see that she did not. She has had no accidents in a couple of days now and I am thrilled. She is still timid about things. Now when you get up she runs to the kitchen jumps on her bed but turns around and comes right back. She wags her tail all the time and does not keep it tucked under like she did previously. She will also go in and out with me in the fenced yard with no leash. I had to keep her on a leash before to get her to come back in the house; or else chase her around the yard to get her to come in. Once was enough with that lol. Another small step, but that is the way it goes. Sometimes you take small steps then have a step back and start again. Eventually, you will get where you are going; although the journey may take a little while longer than you had planned. She does have her little quirks even with coming in the house. You have to go in the door first, move away from the door, and then she comes in when you call. If you are standing next to the door she will not go past you. I think it is still a trust issue. Yesterday she cracked me up. She was in the yard with Bama and she started doing that Bully run where they tuck their butt up under themselves and run with all their might. She would chase Bama and then he would turn and chase her. You could tell she was just having a blast. I think she would do well in a home with someone with a small playful dog. She really seems to love playing with mine. I am wondering if I should start taking her places. I hate to do it too quick, but also think she needs to see some things. I don't know if she has seen anything. I thought maybe taking her to the little park by my house. No one will be there in the freezing cold but she can get out and about in a different area. I also considered taking her to Petsmart but thought that might be too overwhelming right now.
I sometimes sit petting her and wonder if she ever had a good life. Did someone have these puppies and sit up with them all night, loving them, and caring for them? Did someone buy her and give her love when she was younger then just get tired of her and leave her locked in a crate? Has she ever known, before this, what it was like to be a dog and play and be loved? Sarah just sits there unquestioning, living in the moment of a head rub enjoying the present. Maybe we should learn from her. Enjoy what you have, don't dwell on the past and things you can not change.

I am adding a small video of Bama and Sara playing in the yard.