Greetings BPO folks! Well, we did it. We finally got another dog. AFter much deliberation and anxiety on my part, my husband went to a shelter and brought home the newest member of our family. Floyd (as in Pink) is a 1 year old, male, lab/chow mix. He's pretty funny...very smart, but NO training. He was found as a stray and had been adopted out once before, only to be returned two days later because he likes shoes. Go figure...a year old dog that likes shoes! Bo didn't outgrow her love of shoes until 2! Anyway, my husband took Bo to the shelter to meet Floyd and they got along FAMOUSLY! Playing, romping, both initiating play, all the good things you look for. Well, that ended the moment he came into the house. She reverted back to all of her old, unfriendly ways and we spent the night mediating various "snarking outbursts". Floyd, to his credit, seems unphased by Bo's grumpy attitude and really wants to play. Finally we had to put Floyd in the kitchen (at about 3am, mind you, and with very little sleep on my part), and Bo in the bedroom. Peace at last. I took them for a VERY long walk this morning and once we got back to the house, most of the bad behavior on Bo's part ceased. The only time it got a little rough was when they were playing & she took a corner too fast and tweaked her bad knee (luxated patella, right rear leg)...boy did she let into Floyd for that! After a breif separation, they had forgotten all about it & life marched on. They are home alone today, so wish me luck that I still have a house with two dogs and two cats when I get home! And hopefully the neighborhood will forgive me for adding to the pack!Â
Anyway, aside from the general announcement, I wanted to solicit other people's experience of adding to the pack. Do they eventually fall into a rhythm? How long does it take for dogs to bond? Bo is my first dog, so I'm REALLY new to all of this! Your stories and suggestions are welcomed!!
Thanks,
Jenn, Bo & (now) Floyd