Cammy's just fine. He was having such a great time on a walk in the woods because he was toasty warm in his new winter jacket, but it was too long because he was clearly stiff when got up from a nap after returning. Note to self: don't let him walk for over an hour even if he wants to.
He is VERY VERY SMART, understands pretty complex sentences ("go take your bunny toy to Greg" -as in specific toy to specific person- correctly), he communicates his needs well (e.g. will come to me and bark, run to the bottom of the foyer stairs and bark, run back and repeat, until I carry him up-(although the front stairs still are scary to him and it requires leather Kevlar gloves to this day ) He can go down stairs, and will come up the wooden ones from the back yard by himself, but not the foyer steps that are carpeted. Weird.
He is VERY funny and affectionate, gives rapid-fire-tongue sloppy morning face wash kisses, wags his whole body when he is happy and literally jumps around with joy, but oh so gently nuzzles his black kitty girlfriend he adores. (But chases the calico). He has absolutely no problem keeping up with his 4 legged furbrother running around the yard either. He does hate the pool "Roomba" and barks to warn and protect us from it and also comes for pets poolside but shows no interest in getting in.
My mom is still clearly the chosen one. I am good for morning wake up cuddles, door opening to go out to pee, and "rides" up the front stairs. Greg is the go to for walks and treats and is his bed partner. But Mom is definitely his favorite. He will even lunge at the rest of us if we try to get too close or touch her while he is "guarding" her. I learned my lesson the hard way when I was trying to help her with her support stockings. Bad hand infection requiring hand surgeon was required. And unfortunately, he still does not like my hubby except will accept treats from him (we decided it must have been a little bald man that flung him down stairs to break his femur in the past ...) Because Bill is the calmest gentlest quietest person in the whole family, yet the one who who gets growled and barked at. Meanwhile, Cam absolutely ADORES my son Grant who is 230 lbs, 6'1" and very loud and gregarious and oughta be the scary one.
We are giving him his best life and I am glad that we are the family that took him, because he is never home alone, gets lots of pets, walks in the woods to visit his neighborhood doggie friends and nature, and the best and healthiest food and treats. And, there is no exposure to children who may upset him with their fast and unpredictable movements. The troubled part of his personality didn't begin to emerge for several weeks, after his physical injuries were better, he probably felt too vulnerable then. He is bossy and fractious at times, and will absolutely bite if people don't follow his rules, which are mostly the result of his prior abuse. We have learned the hard way e.g. like don't reach down to pet him from behind without verbally notifying him first so he knows who it is: don't touch the recliner lever (because It looks like you are grabbing a "stick" on the side of the chair and he is fearful), stuff like that. He now has to be sedated for grooming. Our longtime husband wife team mobile groomers enjoyed the same honeymoon period we all did for several months and then no more. Bit the hell out of them (they did not accidentally nip him or anything, he was just not having it). There is a vet across town who has a groomer in house so he can be safe and monitored so that's what we do now. I use the plastic cone of shame to give him baths between without getting nipped. Sometimes he loves a bath, but sometimes will suddenly decide he's done....
So he clearly tries to be the alpha in the house. I have to remind him he's not by asking him to follow commands like "sit/stay/wait/ok you may take it" when giving him his food dish for example. It is hard not to laugh, because he complies, but "grumbles" under his breath while doing it. * see VERY SMART above LOL.
The whole gang is overdue for their checkups this month .... Now that the holidays are over. I think he gained a pound or two with the extra goodies he scavenged from the festivities. I can't blame my friends or kids for falling for his doe-eyed "awe just a bite please" stare. We ALL gotta get back in shape though now......
Right now he's at his post as grandma's canine footwarmer while we binge watch marvelous Mrs. Maisel (I highly recommend it).
Happy new year!
Ger
