Meet our new family member

“Buddy” is a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever who I’d learned about on Petfinder.com with a very special need: to be loved. He has a bullet lodged in one of his hind legs, he is wary of men, he lacks confidence, he doesn’t know how to play, and he’s afraid of traffic. He is also a gentle, lovely, well-behaved dog who, with the love and confidence he needs, will be the best (simply the best) dog in the word- which is exactly why we drove to Virginia last Friday to bring him home.

Now I, along with Rob, our assistant Becky, and our friend’s 7 year old daughter Heather, will make buddy our best friend. In just a few short days Buddy has had a bath, been to visit the park, learned his way around the neighborhood, been swimming in the lake, knows his car and his house, and has made friends with Lou the Bulldog.

He has also taken to the landing on our steps making that space his own. We wonder what the appeal is. Could it be because there are no windows on the landing? Buddy seems to be most relaxed when no one can see him and when he can’t see out the windows. Could it be because there are two exits from the landing  (one up and one down)? Whatever the reason, he spends most of his time on the landing.

We figure it will take some time for him to come out of his shell. It’ll take time to figure out what his new permanent name should be too. Got any suggestions?  

To read more about Buddy’s background, (he was “leo” before he was Buddy) at: http://findleo.blogspot.com/2009/06/leo-is-lost.html.

Learn more about the wonderful agency where we adopted Buddy: the  Atlantic Region Central Border Collie Rescue http://www.arcbcr.org.

Comments

[Kathy]

Jane, Buddy will just take lots of time. I know you are intuitive and feel his needs and will adjust to what he is capable of learning within so much time. I've trained dogs and repetition is the key. If he has been mistreated in any way and you can't overcome it.. get the advice of a trainer.. A food free source comes from the purina company and you can ask questions too.

Thank you for all you did for us at this event.. I had not seen you talk before and I remember when you were a CC. Jane youre amazing and I passed it onto other state groups to call you. To me you were the sunshine..hugs Kathy