things with the dog (long update)

Well things are getting better with our new addition, Mr Wozniak who we just call Woz unlike Lebowski, who we call by his full name.

Anyway... he's no longer got the kennel cough, hurrah! But we still give him his pills twice a day until they're done. We use the greenies pill pockets that give us absolutely no incident. He eats them thinking they're a treat when we're sneaking in medication in them. Muah ha ha.

After about three days I quit on trying to separate he and Lebowski so we stuck them both in the back which is way less stressful on all of us. Lebowski never got sick so yay! At night, we kennel both of them in the house. The first few nights he'd bark and howl a bit but we'd just squirt him once and he would stop. Now he rarely does it but when he does it's a bark or two and then keeps quiet 'til the morning when we let them both out.

We've gotten into a night routine with them. They take turns eating out of a bowl either Matt or I hold until they're done then we kennel them for 1/2 an hour, take them outside to pee, and then let them in to hang out with us until bed time. Usually we have to give Lebowski a bone to chew to keep him occupied while inside but Woz just lays next to us and sleeps. Oh, also, he snores. It's hilarious.

Woz is very sweet but very attached to us. If I get up he follows me. He's much more timid than Lebowski when it comes to meeting new people. Unlike the dude who just heads for you at full speed and wants to be petted, Woz just sort of hangs back with one of us. It'll get better once we get him out with other dogs after he's fully vaccinated and fixed which he is not yet.

The two dogs are indeed getting along. They play with each other and lay next to each other when they're inside together. Lebowski is showing dominance by mounting him and growling when he gets too close to his bone or food but otherwise he seems to accept that he's part of the family.

The other members of our family are adjusting quite well to the new dog. Much better than I expected. One more than one occasion we've had both dogs and both cats inside with us hanging and napping. Gadget was the one we were most worried about since he's been most hesitant to Lebowski but I think he's feeling left out and wants to be with us when we're all together. Unlike Lebowski, Woz never charges at the cats or tries to get them to play with him, he sniffs curiously but leaves them alone which I know the cats appreciate. Gadget actually came and laid on Matt when Woz was sleeping next to him, something he's never done with Lebowski.

All in all happiness abounds around here. Things may change for a few weeks after his surgery since we'll have to keep them apart for two weeks which will add some stress for us but after that we'll be able to go back to our new routine and family of six.