I have two new pictures of Abbi to add; yet I will put one of them below; so all can see just how BOOOOTIFUL she is!Β π It has been a ‘tough’ weekend at BHRR. Abbi continues to thrive here and we just love her more and more every day. I think she has decided that ‘Sean’ is officially hers and when Sean takes a nap(don’t tell Sean that I am posting this) on the weekends; Abbi can be found lying right next to him. Yet, her favourite position is lying partly on him while he naps. She really has taken to him and even today, Sean said that he felt that when(gosh, we still hope!)she is adopted; that she is really going to miss our home. For me, I think what Abbi misses most is her two DBB sisters; which of the two; it is Jenni; yet Jenni; honestly cannot be overly bothered with Abbi. Jenni is the ‘princess’ to the end and has always ‘ruled’ in her own way and Abbi was always content to follow her and let Jenni call the shots. I feel for Abbi and the last time that Jenni plus Mudslide were over; all Abbi wanted to do was go outside and play with them; especially Jenni and Jenni was not really interested. Abbi is just not the ‘same ‘Abbi’ without her DBB sisters and my heart does pang over that. Is she happy here; oh sure she is…..but we nor any other dog here is a replacement for her family. I mentioned to Sean that Abbi should really have a home to call her own, one with less dogs and yet with at least one(preferably where there would end up being even numbers when she is adopted, so she is not ‘left’ out as many odd dog number homes can tend to end up)that she really connects and bonds with. We will be very careful to ensure that Abbi is placed as per her wishes and really ‘listen’ to her and her needs. I will need to take a step back, not be too protective and let her ‘talk’ more when this time comes. I just find it hard seeing her feelings get hurt; just as a parent hates to see their child hurt.Β π Β I am thinking that as much as I do obedience myself and teach it; I think I am going to take Abbi ‘out’ of the home and take some classes with her; be it agility or obedience. JUST her and I; to really show her just how special she really is and to have that extra ‘alone’ time with her. Tomorrow, she shall celebrate her 2nd birthday…just where as the time gone!!!! WOW!
BHRR’s DBB Abbi – March 2009
I have never met another Dane like her and she cannot go to a home inexperienced or faint of heart! LOL She is so loving, sweet and gorgeous(I call her ‘dollface’) and snuggles so adorably with you and your heart just wants to melt but the ‘goober mule’ girl is in there and we saw when we spayed her; just how easily she could ‘slip’ back into wanting to do a lip curl here and there and not share….I have not seen this behavour since her spay and even then it was minor BUT one cannot give this girl an inch…at least for now. She does not sleep in bed with us and she sleeps in a crate and NILIF is very much part of her daily life with us and she so excels with it and her intelligence. I have to say that on my worst days in Rescue; I find myself taking Dana for a walk; just her and I and I tell her all my pain/sorrow and heartache and I ‘feel’ her listening….she is so like Samson George that way….our special walks in the early AM hours or now as it is lighter later; before the sun sets and it SO special. She is all ‘heart’ and ‘passion’ this Dane and she just soaks all of your angst up and leaves you feeling peaceful. There has been many a tear that her shiny black coat has soaked up from myself or my kids in sorrow and she gives all of herself unconditional. THERE is no halfway with this girl and any home that she is adopted too; when she is ready; will have to understand that. She is such a survivor with a tough exterior and core but deep deep deep inside is the most amazing and special Dane ever. I see more and more glimpses of it and I believe in full disclosure with all the animals here; so will not underplay her ‘toughness’ but I am most certainly not going to underplay her ‘gift’. Her crate is where my computer is and she is often found lying there ‘just’ to be near. While Dana comes across as extremely independent; she is actually a lot like BHRR’s DBB Mudslide; she ‘NEEDS’ so much more than many others out there and has no idea how to ask for it and so stays silent and my heart breaks on that………I make it a point to give her special impomptu hugs and kisses and the light in her expressive eyes says it all. Now, of course, I cannot give her too much or I might ‘cramp’ her style! LOL Fine line there……. π I am SOOOOOO loving this journey with Dana…..and while some days are better than others for her and I; this Dane has my ‘number’ all the way. When you are with her; you know you are with something bigger and better than yourself and this girl has NO idea just how unbelievable she is….MAYBE that is a good thing…LOL BUT it makes all the ‘trouble’ and ‘mischief’ that she does do; so much more understandable for I am ‘getting’ it and she is teaching me. AND my role is to teach her that her negative seeking behavour is not really her and along with the other dogs here; give her good solid foundations with support, guidance, a firm hand and yes, treats……lots of treats! I find that everytime, I begin to write a blog on Dana, I could go on for days and days…..no amount of writing shall every capture this true beauty. She is all ‘fire’ and ‘spice’ and incredibly ‘nice’!
