SONNYSonny and Bo were adopted together by a farm family. Sonny was rescued by Lauren and Mike in Ponemah with severe mange and starvation at the May clinic.
BOBo came as a surrender when someone brought him out in the trunk of his car with quills. We had earler taken his brother Shamu.
NEW FAMILY UPDATE #1:
Well, we think Sonny is a very alert sweet loving dog! We just love him!
Last Saturday was a tough day as we could see Sonny just didn't know or care about his name or coming to us -- just wanted to chase, bark and play with the horses. We knew we had to really work on but he was running across the road onto the field and just kept going.
Thankfully Bo came back and later Sonny did too. Randy and I talked right there in front of Sonny about how we really want him to stay but we won't keep a dog tied up. So if Sonny wouldn't yield to learning to stay home and come to us he may have to be returned.
So we agreed on what small steps to start with. About a half-hour later Sonny just went after the horses again. I was near him and knelt down and he came over to me and I just prayed over him asking the Lord to show him that we really want to keep him and need him to listen better. I prayed for great guidance for us in teaching, rewarding, etc.
Well glory be, Sonny has just been improving all this week! The horses aren't much fun to him now and so he leaves them alone for the most part. Our one kitty made it up to the deck this morning and the dogs just gave him a lot of space. Last night all 3 dogs came into the living room to watch some TV with us. They were all quiet and good-natured.
He and Bo have so much fun leaping and playing and sometimes take after a squirrel. I think getting the two dogs at one time was a very good idea. I call Sonny our deck monitor as he is always scanning the goings on around our place. Bo has such a tender heart! He just is so happy about everything.
They come to the barn morning and night to help with my little amount of horse chores and Bo has come along way in the last couple days. At first he was very nervous about the pitch fork I use to throw the hay in but now he just follows me or sits real nearby and watches. We're working on getting him to sit when we say sit and wow he's picking up on that very fast. He is so eager to please and very smart that teaching him thing is a real joy.
With both we are careful to not scare them or make them feel like we can't be trusted. Last night Bo was laying on the floor next to Randy's recliner and was getting petted and he had such a sweet look of contentment on his face, it was good.
They both love our old dog Lucky and Lucky loves them. Lucky has things he's been showing them and they love to follow him around the yard.
We've gone all this week without tying them up and both have been staying home so well. We are enjoying them so much! They both have such great personalities and show us such love and trust even though the some humans have left scars on them. They are willing to entrust their hearts and lives to us, we are grateful.
Bo lays on this bedspread and just loves to nap in the sun on the deck. I'll send more pics when I get more. They are a little worried about the camera and cell phone picture sounds so they should soon be over that noise too.
Thank you again Karen for the care you give these sweet critters that are brought to you.
UPDATE #2
We had such a good weekend with them! They have both learned so much and fit in so well at our house. Randy and I talked this morning about how far they have come in just a little over a week!
Bo was helping me clean in the barn yesterday, so he could show off how well he can leap up onto the bales to the top and down again.
Our one kitty was up there on the top but she didn't care much about Bo and Bo was real sweet with her.
Sonny only seems to run to the horses around chores time and I think in his mind he is being helpful by rounding them up to the barn. I'm okay with that and the horses don't care.
Sonny takes his job as ranch security seriously and we admire that and don't want to discourage this sense of duty. Both of them a have shown us how dear they are to friends that come over and they like to act a little silly for some entertainment for us all. They both love to run after each other with big happy smiles on their faces!
Sorry I get so windy when I update but I can't say enough about how well it is working out and how smart they are. They like popcorn while watching movies too! I was able to sneak a picture of all 3 buddies by our front door this morning but left my camera at home so I'll get that sent soon.
Karen, do come over and see us when ever you can, we'd all love a visit from you! Thank you, too, for your prayers. I believe the Lord has been so good to us by blessing us with Sonny and Bo and our new friendship with you! You and your rescue team are outstanding! God bless you all!
What a wonderful story! Keep doing what you are doing with your training because it sounds like they want to learn and they want to
ReplyDeleteplease you. It all takes time but
well worth every second to train.
Thank you for rescueing these little sweethearts. Best wishes to
you!...and keep those updates coming.