From A Pauper To A Princess - The Journey of a Puppy Mill Dog (Update 4)

We've all followed the journey of Flopsy, also know as Rusty, from the puppy mill to her forever home thanks to her Foster Mom, Karen, one of CPCRN's foster mentors. (To read Rusty's journey from a pauper to a princess written by her Foster Mom click here.) Rusty started the next chapter of her life in January 2008 when she was adopted by her Forever Mom, Sheryl. Not only did Rusty get her chance at "happily ever after" she also got a new name! Rusty is now known as Maisie and lives with her brothers Murry and Micha. Maisie's story continues thanks to updates from her Forever Mom. (To read previous updates click here.)

3/7/08 - Maisie update from her Forever Mom!

We've had some nice milestones this week.

Maisie did "sit" twice with a verbal command - When I'm handing out treats, I always ask Murry to sit, and Maisie only had to "look cute" for the first 6 weeks. Then I started pushing gently on her back end and saying "sit" and then giving her a treat. I have to say she generally seemed bewildered by the process. Anyway, one morning this week after our walk, Murry did his sit, and then when I asked Maisie to sit, she did! Then later in the day did it again! Now she seems to have forgotten, but I know she has it in her.

We were in the front yard, and they were off leash. Maisie usually just stays close to me and then I have to run up and down the yard so she gets some exercise. We'd been out for a while and a friend was walking by and we were talking over the fence, when she remarked on the dogs. When I turned around to look, Maisie was running up and down the yard - chasing Murry and then he chased her - they did this about 5 times, but as soon as she saw me looking at her she stopped. (You know from experience that she does that.) When someone knocks at the front door and Murry runs to the door, Maisie's right there with him. Of course, when we open the door, she moves back across the room to observe, but she's not hiding in a corner anymore.

Earlier this week, we were all in bed and I fell asleep reading - woke up about 3:30 AM with the light still on and noticed that the kitty was using Maisie's mid-section as a pillow. Last night we were all getting settled on the bed and Maisie rested her head on top of Murry's backside and he didn't object. (Murry can be very grumpy on the bed.) They both went to sleep like that.

So we have little bits and pieces of progress. No pressure on her - we just move forward at her pace. We just came in from doing errands and then walking and as it's raining here, we had lots of towel and blow drying. Now I'm settling in to do some work, and they are both on their "office" pillows napping.

To Be Continued ...