Foster Dog Update: The Mingling Has Commenced

The River is everywhere. ~Hermann Hesse

That is a pretty true statement at our house. River is quite active for being 5-years young and generally seems to be everywhere. He's got a curiosity streak like a 2-year old and uses his nose to poke EVERYTHING. We've had to puppy/baby proof the house for this man, and while it can get exasperating at times trying to keep an eye on him, it's also quite comical to watch his discoveries unfold.

Aren't I a handsome man? :)

River has been settling in great at our house. He still gets nervous about Nicholas entering a room he is already in and also when walking by his crate, but that is a work in progress and has gotten better. He is now fully mingled with the crew but they just aren't sure about him. Monday doesn't like him because he is always trying to be the closest to me and that is obviously her job. Luckily she is playing nice so far and just ignoring him with a few dagger looks thrown in for good measure.

Monday practicing her dirty look for the camera :).

Vito, as predicted, just pretends he doesn't exist. They have had a few moments of exchanged play bows but for the most part River overwhelms Vito. What's really funny is they have the same frantic play style it's just a bit more exaggerated in River because he is so large. Oh Vito, sometimes you get what you didn't know you asked for!

Vito practicing his sad face...he is really convincing!
Makes you want to cuddle him doesn't it? He's hard to resist!

Bourbon was actually the last one of the crew to meet River. I wasn't sure how they would get along since River is very awkward in his dog social skills area and while Bourbon loves to play with other dogs, he's getting a bit old and doesn't play as hard as he used to. They have done the whole sniff your butt dance and everything has been fine. Luckily, River likes to play with toys more than he likes to play with other dogs so there hasn't much miscommunication :).

Bourbon says "Really mom?!? Couldn't you have brought home
a laid-back senior this time?"

And finally, Rookie. Rookie was the first one to be fully mingled with River because he is super easy going and not pushy. Which is great for River, but frustrating sometimes for Rookie. See River likes Rookie's toys just as much as Rookie does, and River will just take them from him when he decides he wants something that Rookie is playing with. I keep a careful on eye on them, not because I think they are going to fight over something but because I don't want Rookie continually getting bullied. So I make sure to have special Rookie time for playing with his toys and I make sure there are plenty of toys scattered in all the rooms so there is always something for everyone.

Rookie trying to be incognito in the corner so he can chew his bone.

River is more interested in playing with me and the toys than he is with other dogs. Which can be rather annoying for me :). But we do have plenty of toys around that he 'self-plays' with. Currently, he is fascinated with the jolly ball. Apparently it's very frustrating that he can't fit the whole thing in his mouth LOL.

His mouth is not quite wide enough :).

I think my dogs will be much happier when River finds his forever home. Not every foster dog fits in perfect and that is okay. They aren't with us long enough (usually!) to impact the house dynamics too much. And if my dogs start showing signs of being truly uncomfortable (instead of it just being inconvenienced) than we will reevaluate the situation.

Life is like the river, sometimes it sweeps you gently along and sometimes the rapids come out of nowhere. ~Emma Smith