Blackie gets a bath

I picked up Blackie, the foster dog, in Harvard, MA, and he howled when I put him in the crate. I was concerned, after all it would be an hour long drive to my house. Yes, I felt foolish talking in a soothing, sing-song manner non-stop while I got on the highway, but within a few minutes the pup had settled down for a nap.

Blackie was very skittish at my house, but my dog, Indy, calmed him down. The biggest problem was that Blackie was filthy and smelled horrible. The women at the shelter said he and his litter had been kept in an outside pen in Tennessee and they hadn't really ever had a bath. So, when C and her friends got home from school, they had a job to do...and everyone loved it --even Blackie!

He's now been at our house for two nights, and he's coming into himself. He's gotten very calm, and he absolutely loves to be cuddled. Indy gets a bit jealous, but mostly because we keep giving the puppy her toys. Indy has actually been very nurturing towards the little guy.

Blackis still hates his crate, and last night I just let him sleep on the doggie bed. I got up at 5am to let him out to pee, and then we all went back to sleep. He understands the word "no," and he has only had one accident in the house, when he first arrived. Could he already be house broken?

If you know of anyone who wants to adopt a sweet little puppy, please go to Great Dog Rescue New England.