So proud of Pence!

Hello! We’re back with the latest stories and adorable photos!

First, I want to tell you about how PROUD I am of Pence. But that story begins with a little background on Boo.

When we first brought Boo home, it was during COVID. We weren’t able to socialize him with too many people. He’s always been a bit of an oddball, socially awkward, nervous around new people. We started taking him to outdoor cookouts with family to get him around new people and new noises. It seemed to really help him come out of his shell, and he loves cookouts now.

Although Pence seems to have a lot of confidence in harness and as a leader, she has shown a lot of hesitation toward meeting new people and being around unusual noises. We’ve been wanting to take her to a family cookout, but it has been very hot outside. Boo is a pro at cookouts now, and we can trust him (for the most part) to free run the property and also cool down inside on his own without worrying he’ll get into something he shouldn’t. He also doesn’t shed since he stopped growing out his winter coat a few years ago.

Unfortunately, Pence is a nervous pee-er, and sheds like no other…not a combination that grandma would like to have in her nice, clean house. So, we’ve had to leave Pence at home. Until last weekend.

On Labor Day, it was cool, in the lower 70s. The perfect time to socialize Pence and put her in a new situation. Car rides are still not her favorite, but we put a dog bed in the back seat for her.

When we arrived at the cookout, she did her usual greeting - immediately jumped out of the car and pooped in the driveway. facepalm

At first, she was a nervous wreck. We brought a 30 foot lead for her and tied it around a tree in the yard with plenty of shade and a fresh bowl of water. She paced back and forth for a while and jumped up on the wooden swing with me. She didn’t like us walking over to the patio table without her. She was shaking and panting.

We brought her over on a leash to meet everyone around the table. She didn’t seem super interested at the time. I tried offering her a potato chip, but she was still too nervous and refused.

After about two hours, she finally decided it was safe enough to lay down. She closed her eyes a few seconds at a time, but fought sleep. Once the food was ready, she was wide awake. She realized that there was some pretty good snacks on the table. She made her way around the table, greeting everyone, and accepting treats off their plate.

The rest of the afternoon, she was walking up to people on her own to get pets! Perhaps she saw Boo doing the same, and realized he was fine, and getting snackies in the process.

Her demeanor changed so much in those few hours. We were so proud of her for coming out of her shell and trusting new people and new places! Hopefully we will have more chances to do this in the future to help her gain trust and confidence.

Other cute moments recently include…

Pence got scared during a thunderstorm while I was on a meeting in my office. She wanted to climb up in my lap, but I was busy. So, she decided, for the first time ever, to get up in the rocking recliner in front of my desk! I can’t believe the rocking did not scare her. She sat in the chair for a few minutes, watching the rain and lightning outside. Eventually, she fell asleep in the recliner and it was adorable. She has not attempted to get in the recliner since that day.

And here’s a cute photo of Boo laying on my lap, just because!