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Miranda has been adopted!
UPDATE (28 February, 2006)Miranda did better last night, staying in the bed and blanket; one small diarrhoea incident. She did well at the vet check yesterday. Still not eating, but my vet felt this is just all the change and it is OK if she doesn't eat for a day or so. I stopped at a friend's store on the way back from the vet and Miranda got to sit in her lap and be petted. While I know this pushes the envelope I think it is good for her. My next door neighbor came over last night briefly as well. I put her sweater on her today as she seemed a bit chilly - this isn't Florida! She is hanging out more with the other girls and me when we go outside. I left her loose in the house when I went to the market today and she did fine. I am also proud of my other girls for just accepting her into the household - whoever gets on the couch with her, it doesn't bother Miranda or whoever got on the couch that Miranda is there.
UPDATE (6 March, 2006)
Her tummy has settled down and I think we have had three nights without any night issues. The last one was actually a pee on the pee pad, not any other problem. She sleeps in a dogbed snuggled with a cover next to my bed. She is as settled as I think she will be in the short-term - it will take a long time for her to fully relax from what I see. Eating is still a bit of an issue - she mostly eats the wet food and will barely touch the kibble. She spends most of her time on the couch - I think because you put her down there so it is her safe spot. She even growled at Charley and Teresa for playing too close to 'her' couch today. In the morning when we get up and head for the back door she has wagged her tail. Before one feeding time I did see her 'forget' to be on guard and think about playing. We have had one setback a couple of nights ago when I had to chase her and ultimately grabbed her by the sweater and I got an open mouth considering a possible bite - she didn't, I told her she'd better not ever and I spent time that evening and the next morning apologizing for chasing her and getting by the setback. She has not otherwise run from me, but she still doesn't trust me, but like I said I think that will take some time. If I get up and go into my bedroom she is frequently waiting at the babygate for my return and she clearly understands the flow of the household. It is hard to give her the space she needs because I just want to hold her and pet her and see her relax
UPDATE (7 March, 2006)
Teresa got everyone up early this morning and Miranda was being happy (tail wags, front legs down with butt up poses). So, after everyone went out and it was time for 'snug' (Alice was already dancing on the bed), I went back into the livingroom and sat on the recliner. Miranda then sat on the couch as I knew she would. I went over and picked her up (she did think about bolting for half a second), went into the bedroom and got in bed putting Miranda next to my chest. Everyone else all got organized under the covers (even Alice who usually demands constant attention) and I stroked Miranda and rubbed the base of her ears (she loved that). After less than five minutes I stopped petting her and she stayed right where she was! After a little while her eyes began to close (she didn't fully lay down though). Even ten minutes later when everyone started to get up she didn't bolt off the bed and when she did get off she came over and gave me kisses on the leg :-) I am hoping this taught her it is okay to sleep on the bed (as well as more trust). If she sleeps with me and the other girls I think that will help a lot. Thank you for the kind words. I agree it is baby steps, and she DOES want to relax but she can't get over her past - yet.
UPDATE (7 March, 2006)
WOW! After I sent the last message I went to feed everyone and while I was preparing dishes Miranda and Teresa started playing. Miranda was on the couch and dashed back and forth doing spins periodically. There are two throws and a dog bed on the couch so this was actually pretty wild. Teresa was on the floor and trying to figure out how to engage in Miranda's play. At one point Teresa got up on the couch, front feet up on the back and looked back to see if such a move was okay with Miranda. I just froze and watched. This is great. Teresa loves to play so hopefully she will get Miranda in the act. YEAH Miranda!
UPDATE (13 March, 2006)
Yesterday I was outside and heard Katie bark inside, I looked in and she was on the ottoman dashing about and playing with Miranda who was on the couch. I almost never see Katie do that anymore - so whoopee for Katie and Miranda. Miranda also spent time in the office rolly-pollying (I could only see so much, but Teresa kept going over there so I could tell Miranda was doing solo play). When it was time for bed last night I picked Miranda up off the couch and 'stuffed' her under the bed covers. She slept under the covers all night and seemed quite pleased in the morning. She is getting better about 'hanging' with me. Right now she and Teresa are playing on the ottoman. :)
UPDATE (25 March, 2006)
Well today is our one month anniversary and I think she is doing very very well! She plays several times a day with Teresa and not just from the 'safety' of the couch. The only problem we have in bed, is that she sleeps down by my feet and will start licking my ankles non-stop. Even if I move my legs she will stretch or inch over so she can continue! There is a difference between kissing and bathing! Frequently at lunch I have chicken or lettuce or tuna or something which I can give out as a snack. Miranda learned this quickly and makes sure she is not left out despite all of her sisters also swarming around me.
She has also figured out the joy of lying by the fireplace and while she will get onto the big bed in front of the fireplace and snug with her sisters, if she is there by herself she will growl at any dog that comes within three feet. So, she is learning 'be nice'. She also thinks the bed Honey favors near the fireplace is excellent and will take up residence there, growling at poor Honey if she comes over to go to bed. Sweet Honey inevitably just lays down nearby on the carpet. One of my part-time neighbors (their house up here is a second home for them) arrived last night and invited me over for drinks (they are the ones who received Honey in the middle of the night for me and thereby consider Honey their dog). Instead of taking Honey I took Miranda. She was very good and Frank was particularly attentive to her even holding her in his lap for quite a while (and after a few tries got her to accept cheese bites).
Today is a beautiful spring-like day (although everyone says don't count on it until after Easter), so I sat on the back porch and put dog beds out so everyone could start working on theit tans or just soak up the sun. I so love all my girls, they are each so special. Thank you again for the very special Alice, Honey and Miranda!
UPDATE (20 April, 2006)
Miranda's confidence has now grown to 'dangerous' proportions. Not only does she go out of her way to go grab Teresa by the leg hard, she then mounts her. Teresa is an 'alpha wanna be' so she is flabbergasted by Miranda's moves. Funny to watch. Miranda has also taken to sitting on the highest perch in the room that is Charley's spot (the true Top Dog) - when it is vacant (Teresa likes to pride herself in getting up there too) and I am not in the room. She is doing very well with me - coming over to give kisses for scratches and of course for treats. Yesterday she went to the groomers with Virginia. She was fine. I had told my groomer that if she got antsy at all to quit, since this was her first time, but that was never an issue. She even had her muzzle clipped, because I forgot to tell them not to - I liked her little Fu Man Chu beard. So she looks even more like a very miniature Border Collie.
UPDATE (24 May, 2006)
Miranda made another baby step today, she actually got back in bed herself at the end of 'snugtime' this morning. I know that was another measure of trust. Besides dancing sometimes on her back legs, she also sometimes talks to me. She is such a cutey. She has been to the groomers twice and did great.
UPDATE (1 June, 2006)
Teresa and Miranda now race around the yard in the morning creating a dust cloud and Miranda has become brave enough to join us (get up on the bed herself) right at the end of 'snug'. She also gets closer to me so I don't have to stretch to entice her to let me touch/pet her. The one thing I can't break her of is stealing my socks, or shoes - I know I should pick them up, but she will also steal my flip flops while I am in bed snugging Alice!
UPDATE (5 June, 2006)
Poor Miranda, she was laying on the couch stretched out to her fullest length, her tummy looked so inviting, so eventually I went over and kissed it. Of course as I approached she took on her guarded mode, it is apparent she knows it is OK, but that old stuff will just take a long time to go away. I know I have said this many times, but thank you for letting her come into my life.
UPDATE (5 February, 2007)
Well we are about at the one year anniversary. She is doing very well. She has relaxed more and is a very happy healthy little girl. Although she still tightens up as you approach her, poor kid, maybe after another year she can let go of her fears more. She trusts me, you can see she wants to just relax and trust, but she can't do it. However, she is play partners with Teresa who is a similar age and they have wonderful runs in the yard.
She sleeps in bed with me (and five other dogs) very happily and she will now come over and put her legs up on me when it is time for dinner etc. It is brief, still it is progress. She will let me pet her outside. She is a special girl and I try to make sure she knows that! Thank you for allowing me to adopt her!