Author: Elaine

Mia, an eleven year old Dalmatian, came to stay with us on a trial basis yesterday. She is tiny for a Dalmatian, much smaller than our Collie Lody.

Mia has a sweet, friendly personality, but unfortunately had become very apprehensive around the toddler in her family. They live in an 800 square foot house, and Mia was living in a sort of internal exile to keep her away from being jumped on by the toddler. She had lived with her family since she was six weeks old. They were quite upset about the situation, especially since their vet assured them that it was better to put her down rather than try to find her a new home since older dogs always become so depressed when they are rehomed! I told the owners we had adopted several older dogs, and they seem to feel at home within a few weeks.

Mia was quite apprehensive last night, and clung to the security of the sitting room, which probably had the smells of her family since we had sat and talked there. However, when she heard me scooping up dog food, she indicated that a little thing like being abandoned was not going to keep her from eating. Although we don’t allow dogs on the furniture, I decided to give up on that battle and put the dog comforter on the sofa for now, so her first experience of us isn’t one of being corrected constantly.

This morning she has been wandering around the house and coming up to me to be petted when she sees me. Lody is being very good: she doesn’t seem to mind me petting Mia as long as I pet her at the same time.