Sadie's Progress

While many of our friends (really those who Sadie loves) always came to visit, it wasn't until Brenda was gone that we started having our other friends over--the ones who we like, but who Sadie has always been wary of. The first to come over, within a week of losing Brenda, was Jason.

When we first adopted Sadie, Jason was around a lot. Back then, she had to be tethered to the radiator and he had to endure her snarling and lunging every time he got up from his seat. This time, nearly two years later, she was perfect. Ben and Jason and I were talking and drinking whisky in the kitchen when Sadie trotted in and plopped herself on the floor at our feet. Jason proceeded to tell a story while gesturing a lot. Sadie barely glanced at him. She was so quiet we hardly knew she was there.

After a bit, Jason asked what would happen if he bent down and said hi to her. I could tell she'd be fine (or maybe it was the whisky talking) so I said 'go for it.' The instant he knelt down, he fell back against the stove, which made a loud crashing noise, and simultaneously knocked a glass off the counter. Sadie barely moved her eyebrows. I was so proud.

Porter, of course, was in the living room humping his bright pink bed. While his anxiety did flare up in the beginning of the two-dog household, it seems to be getting a little better. He is sleeping the entire night on his own bed now, which is a huge improvement for him. He's actually sleeping in the exact spot that Brenda did, on my side of the bed.

He was great when Ben's mom came to visit, but Porter loves getting attention from just about anybody who will give it to him. Surprisingly, Sadie was also OK. She had a few snarly outbursts but considering we weren't comfortable leaving her free when our last overnight guest stayed with us, this visit was a huge success. It was only when Barbara came in the door after being gone a day (I think it took Sadie a bit to recognize her) and then at the end when she knelt down to give Sadie a goodbye kiss that Sadie showed any major signs of displeasure.