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June 2004
Buddy
was adopted by Elizabeth and Robbie! Elizabeth decided to
rename him Finn (I'm a bit partial to that name myself :).
Below is an update on Finn from Elizabeth:
"I
thought I'd update you on Finn after a week in his new home.
He is just doing marvelously well. He has a big silly streak!
I taught him to jump up onto the grooming table, and he was
very proud of his accomplishment. So much so, that every
time we go into the basement, he flies over and hops up onto
the table. Ta da! Then I heard a funny noise in the back
of the house -- went to check it out, and Finn was standing
on top of my desk. Ta da!!
He and Robbie are quiet friends -- not a lot of interactive
play yet, but Finn keeps an eye on Robbie and copies what
he does. In this way, he is learning to play with balls and
toys. Started out picking up the toy and running back to
put it on the bed, then returning "empty handed." Now
he's staying with us as we play. The other night a lightbulb
seemed to go on, and he spent about 20 minutes batting the
ball all over the room and chasing it. He's not to bringing
it back yet, but we'll get there!"
07-15-04 After just a bit more than a month with Finn, I
can report he continues to be a delightful, very special
boy.
He's as
sweet-natured as he seemed when I first met him, but he's
really come out of his shell and become a VERY
playful, happy, sometimes mischievous character (we won't
mention the Couch Incident, which was my fault).
The world has become a big, new toy, and he truly takes joy
in all his discoveries. He is still learning how to
use his body, especially around humans -- he can be such
a big-footed goof sometimes, you have to love it!
For example, he loves to cuddle but hasn't figured out the finer points. He just
sort of flops over, and gives me a
nose in my eye or a slap from one of his "Finn-flippers."
He's been wonderful with and for Robbie. I think having a lively youngster in
the house has renewed Robbie's energy, and
for the first time in his life he's had a dog around that seems to admire HIM.
Thank you both again for helping bring Finn and me together!
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| Update
on Finn (09-2004) Finn (formerly known as Buddy) joined my
home in June. He is now a treasured part of the family, which
consists of me and my older (11.5 years) Border Collie, Robbie.
One of Finn's issues was under socialization, especially to
men. He has made great strides, although men are still suspicious
characters as far as he is concerned. But . . . he gets a little
braver and more confident every day, and once he has made friends
with a stranger, he remembers them well and eagerly greets
them when he sees them again. He did not know how to play,
didn't seem familiar with toys -- boy, has that changed! He
is now a ball and toy fanatic, and quickly went from "what
the heck am I supposed to do with that?" through all the
stages of toy possibilities. Just this week he discovered that
if he brings the toy to hand, I will throw it for him immediately!
The fun part is, he thinks HE invented that game, and is so
proud of himself that he's shown me the ropes. An unexpected
bonus of having Finn join the household is that he has become
Robbie's "hearing ears." Robbie has gone deaf, and
was beginning to sleep a great deal and withdraw a bit. He
seemed embarrassed and caught off guard when he didn't hear
things coming (like me coming home). Now he cues off Finn and
it has allowed him to feel much more a part of everything that
is going on. He's a little too old and dignified for prolonged
games of chase, but they get along very well. Besides, Finn
has new best girlfriend Lucy (a BC his own age) to come over
for play-dates and rough and tumble games! He is smart, he
is willing, and he has more drive and "oomph" than
I think anyone suspected. He just needed room, time, and encouragement
to blossom. He got a wonderful start at his foster home with
Mo-Kan. Thanks for everything! Elizabeth, Robbie and Finn |
Buddy
is a 1 year old rough coated BC, about 22" tall and
48 pounds. He is a beautiful dog who is being surrendered
by his owner--a livestock farmer--due to lack of herding
instinct.
Buddy
has wonderful manners and is an easy keeper. He is accustomed
to living
in a small outdoor run, and is quiet when left alone. He
does not react to the sound of other dogs barking in the
distance. Buddy dreams of the "indoor life," and
loves cuddling in front of the TV. During his supervised
introductions to the great indoors, he has not had any
accidents, and quickly learned to navigate stairs and acclimate
to noises like the TV, dishwasher, hair dryer and phone.
He will likely be easy to housetrain, as he resists using
his pen as a potty, waiting until his foster mom returns
from work to take him for a walk. He rides very well in
the car, laying down and resting the whole way whether
crated or loose.
Buddy
is fabulous with other dogs, with good manners and excellent" calming
signals." He is not the exuberantly playful "in
your face" type, instead preferring to walk side by
side with another dog, sniffing at the same things and
enjoying each others company.
Buddy is a total
sweetie who would love the chance to move indoors and be
your new best friend!
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Robbie,
Elizabeth, Finn (aka Buddy)

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