Chloe seems to have enjoyed the recent snow accumulations. Donning a cute little GA Dawgs coat, she and her foster siblings had some fun romps in the snow before the snow got too icy.
Chloe and her foster siblings had a fun playdate today with my friend Amanda and her sweet girl Millie. Chloe, Millie, and Chloe's foster brother and sisters, Blaze, Cori and Rio had fun running around the fenced backyard. It was a bit chilly so everyone had their coats on. Millie enjoyed the chance to be off lead in a safe, fenced environment with other greyhounds.
Then we all moved inside to visit some more and celebrate Chloe's foster brother, Blaze's 3rd birthday with yummy doggie birthday cake (peanut butter/banana with strawberry flavored light cream cheese frosting). All the pups seemed to enjoy their cake and fun play date. Chloe enjoyed visiting with Amanda as well.
Chloe has been on the go this week. She absolutely LOVES to go for a ride. She has been on 2 outings so far this week. Monday she went with her foster sister, Rio to a local feed & seed store, TC Country. Chloe seems to mirror the dog she is with. Rio loves to go places and meet folks. She stays happy and calm. That had a great effect on Chloe. People wanted to meet and greet her, so I just asked that they move slowly and speak calmly. Chloe noticed that Rio was fine these folks, so Chloe did well as well. She was shy but still interested in meeting the folks. It was an all around good outing.
Her second outing was with her foster greyhound sister, Cori to Cori's Rally Obedience class. She was able to watch the class from a nice comfortable, soft sided crate close to the ring where we were working. She came out a few times to walk around and visit. She was a more nervous during this outing which was understandable. There were a more people and as well as different dogs. All the dogs in class are friendly and well behaved so there was nothing to worry about there. She definitely was not as at ease, but she did not shut down. She didn't panic or try to bolt. She just wasn't as sure of herself. Even still, I was pleased with her outing. Progress comes in small packages. The more outings she goes on with her foster siblings, the more confident she will become.
All in all, Chloe has made tremendous progress (when you add it all up) in the 2 short weeks she has been in foster. I could not be happier.
This new year, 2011 is going to be Chloe's year. It's going to be her year to go new places, meet new people, try new things and find a forever home.
In a previous post, Chloe had started to pick up dog toys and carry them around. Now she has actually started to play a little with them. She actually picked one up and played with it.
We all know the phrase, "Monkey see, monkey do." Most dogs can learn by watching other dogs. Chloe is no exception.
She intently watches her foster brother and sisters interact with me. They love attention and affection. Chloe has started soliciting attention and affection from me also. She has even licked my hand a couple of times. That's a big step for a shy dog who has only been in her foster home for little over a week.
Chloe's foster brother and sisters and I play together with toys each day. It's just part of our routine. Chloe watches our playtime. In the last couple of days, Chloe has even started picking up discarded toys after the most recent play session. She will typically carry them to her bed. She has not actually started playing with them yet, but I am encouraged by her picking toys up and carrying them around.
Chloe has willingly mastered all the routines of the household from meal time to bed time to outside play time. In our fenced back yard, when called, she has started running over to me. Not just walking casually but actually running and wagging her tail.
It's interesting and fun as you start to get to know your foster greyhound. You discover their likes and dislikes. In the 5 days that Chloe has been in my household as a foster, I have learned many things about what she likes and what she dislikes.
Chloe is a bit of a dichotomy. Being a shy dog, there are things you expect her to nervous around. What makes Chloe so interesting is that some things that you expect her to be shy or nervous around, she is not. For example, I had a spot steam cleaner out and cleaning a muddy pawprint in the carpet. My dogs were afraid to walk next to it while it was operating. Not Chloe. She walked right next to it and could have cared less.
Chloe likes crates. She obviously feels very safe and secure in a crate. In fact she seeks out an open crate. She likes to eat her meals in a crate.
Chloe loves car rides. She enjoys going for a ride.
Chloe likes food. So far she has not been picky about when it comes to eating.
Chloe likes being part of a "pack." She enjoys the companionship of other dogs, yet she also is people focused after you have won her over.
Chloe enjoys going outside and is even very agreeable to wearing a coat in the very cold weather that we have had lately. She also seems to like to explore.
Chloe likes to take her time getting to know people. She also feels more comfortable getting to know someone in a familiar surrounding.
Some of the things that Chloe does not like are quick movements. She is much more comfortable with slower movements.
Chloe does not like loud or firm voices. She likes calm, gentle voices.
Chloe likes her space while she eats. She doesn't show any food guarding but rather stops eating is she thinks you are a little to close to her while she eats.
Chloe is not comfortable meeting people in unfamiliar surroundings yet.
Chloe had her first little outing this evening. We went to Petsmart since I knew it would be not very busy the Monday evening after Christmas.
Chloe was excited to go. She enjoyed the ride. She had a coat and harness on. She was a little nervous to get out of my truck when we got there. Once there she was a little nervous going into Petsmart. Once in side, she was interested in looking and sniffing around. She was not too interested in meeting anyone tonight though. She got very nervous if people got to close to her, but she did not panic or try to bolt. Baby steps, but I'll take them!
Chloe enjoyed "opening" presents this morning. She got 2 stuffies, a tag holder, and her own blankie.
