Interesting turn of events with Buddy, the rescue dog...

I ran into the ex-girlfriend of a very good friend of mine at a music fair. She had lost her special dog to cancer 2 weeks prior, and was still brought to tears telling the story. I'd told her the story of Buddy a couple months ago, and mentioned that there's been no peace in the pack since I brought him home (last Oct.) and she suggested a trial run for a couple weeks(!). We arranged a meet with her other rescue dog (she actually saw this dog pushed out of a moving car and ditched as the driver sped off ) in a neutral place, and Buddy seemed to get along great with him...he's quite submissive and allowed Buddy to do most the sniffing - never lifted a lip to him or anything like that. Next thing we know, Buddy is instigating play with him! Well, I gave her the low-down on Buddy's issues and how I've been dealing with them, and she thought about it overnight. The next day (yesterday) she decided to try it out . I've spoken with her today, with more tips on how to deal with his temperament, and she's really receptive to the tips. He did bark (very loudly) most the night (3am), but finally settled down. When I first brought him home, he barked for 2 1/2 nights, so she may still be in for a test .
She worked at a no-kill shelter for a couple years, so she's no stranger to challenging dogs. Good thing! We still have 1 visit from a professional trainer left (out of the 4 paid for by an awesome rescue group when I got Buddy), so she's planning on seeing how things go so she knows what issues to bring up. WOW!
Sure hope this works out for everyBuddy!

 

I drop off his papers (vet records, etc) Saturday (at her job - she's now a librarian..don't want to show up at his new place and confuse the heck out of him)...I'll be sure to include some earplugs! Good idea! She lives right next to a dunes preserve and the ocean, with miles and miles of trails. She's also an avid bicycle rider - she used to be a messenger bicyclist in San Francisco (they have a few hills there). I know Buddy could keep up w/her for miles. Her neighborhood isn't the safest - "tweakers" and "transients" frequent the area, but Buddy, once he's bonded, will NOT let anything happen to the one he loves. I sure hope this works out!!!!!