Hi, FM here. Jayden has had a full week of many new adventures, some good and some not so good (until we can convince her that they're ALL good).
Went on a car ride to the store with FD and resident dog, Jake (they stayed in the car for 20 minutes together). Jayden had to be picked up and placed in the car as she is scared to jump in by herself and basically wants nothing to do with cars. Jayden decided on the way home, she would rather be in FD's lap than lay in the back of the SUV with Jake. Other than being a lap dog, she did okay.
We found out that Jayden is terrified of clothes being hung on the clothesline. I think the movement of the material makes her uncomfortable. She cowered in the corner near the back door until we brought her over near the moving clothes and held her and comforted her. As soon as FM let go, she retreated back to the corner. We'll keep working on this!
Jayden LOVES fetch! She has found her calling - retrieve and retrieve and retrieve!
The neighbor kids (4 - 7 yrs old) came over to the house over the Easter weekend and Jayden was not at all interested. Again she retreated to the corner of the house and cowered. After about 10 minutes, she paced by the door but never went much further. Jayden's furr ever home should probably not have any young kids as Jayden is very nervous when there is screaming or any really fast and sudden movement.
Jayden is very comfortable in the backyard and loves to play with our resident dog. We decided to bring her to the front yard so she could experience a little more activity (walkers, bikers, cars). She sat very still at first and eventually I got her to move around by throwing the ball. But then a loud car drove by and she ran to the backyard. She is a very frightened little girl which we hope she will grow out of.
We're still working with the leash. She runs around in the backyard with her leash on but as soon as you pick up her leash, she will sit down (even lay down) and won't budge. I tricked her a couple times as she followed me in a quick walk around the backyard - I picked up the leash as she was moving. This worked until I couldn't keep up with her (when she began to run), and she felt the slight tug and sat down. We'll keep trying though! We even tried leashing her to Jake to see if she would just follow him but no luck. She wouldn't budge!
Jayden went to her first RAGOM event at Petco and met so many great people that gave her lots and lots of love. She was pretty scared but by the end of the event, she walked around a bit with some encouragement - we're so proud of her! She wants all of you to know that the day was a little overwhelming but when she got home and processed it all, she wishes she would have been brave enough to give each of you a great big kiss! She even got a very special blanket from the Girl Scouts which she sleeps with in her crate. It's very soft and snuggly - BIG kisses to the Girl Scouts! After the RAGOM event we got to go to another RAGOM foster home and play with some more...what a scary but very wonderful day!
Have you ever seen the movie, 50 First Dates? That is what it is like with Jayden. We have to basically re-introduce ourselves each day and re-assure her that she has nothing to fear. By late morning, she seems fairly adjusted and calm. Jayden's furr ever family will need to be very patient with this special girl. Once she gets to know you, she will give you endless kisses and endless love. When she's in her calm state, she thinks she's a lap dog...Yup, a 49 pound soft, cuddly lapdog!
This is what happens when the leash is on...I sit on my fur butt and I don't move...not even an inch.
This is my 'crib' - all doggies should have their own palm tree, right?
Snuggling with my very special blanket from my Girl Scout friends...thank you!
A golden smile
