Ruby meets her new family today!

Ruby's new family are comeing up from Ct for the weekend to pick up their little girl.  Today they will stop by to meet her and get her more familiar with them and tomorrow they will pick her up on their way back home.  I am so excited her Ruby yet sad at the same time.  She was been such a sweet joy in our home for the last 7 weeks.
Ruby's family sent her a couple of sweatshirts that they each wore and allowed all their dogs to be near so that Ruby could get used to their smell.  The first night I put on sweatshirt on the bed for her to lay on, she sniffed and sniffed and then spun and spun around before laying down and sleeping the night on it.  It was so adorable.  Luckily I was quick enough to capture the ritual on my phone as it happened.  Here is the video.

Great news!!!

Ruby has found her forever HOME!!!! I have been communicating with a very kind couple in CT who had taken an interest in our Ruby.  After long candid conversations regarding Ruby's difficult journey, we all decided that this was exactly the right new step for Miss Ru.  Ruby's new mum and dad sent pictures of her new sisters to be; 2 older Lab ladies and a little Boston Girl Named Kady.  Kady was once a scared girl like Ruby so I anticipate a close bond happening very soon. She will join her new family next weekend.

Below are the pictures of Ruby's new furry family.

Kady's first jump into snow (she's from the south) She was not impressed.

Small steps = Big praise

I am just in awe of this girl each day.  Such spunk, such drive, such tenacity. She has started sleeping on my bed at night.  For the last 3 nights she has actually hopped her little self on my bed at night and nuzzles herself next to my legs for the night. However, I think she sleeps with one eye open because if I even think of patting her, she quickly hops off the bed.  Luckily she will jump right back up and settles down again.  Tiny little progress but it means so much considering the state she was in when she come home to me.  Today is one month since I brought her home.  She has come so far yet has so very far to go.

This picture is just so cute.  The fact that her eyes are closed (which I am sure was a blink) just makes me think I captured her taking her first deep breath of peacefulness and relief. I know that is a little mushy but she does that to me. :)

The progress -3 weeks

Its been a while since I have updated on Ruby's progress.  So, the little girl is just so amazing.  This princess obviously has had nothing good happen from a human being in her whole existence yet, she is very willing to learn otherwise.  I have slowly been introducing her to more and more touch. I had taken her collar off a few weeks ago and she went collar free for about a week and 1/2.  We didn't push her, just let her exist and accept our presence and treats. (she LOVES treats) Eventually we found that when someone is on the couch, she will jump up there and since she is so adorable we could not resit trying to pat her.  At first, she would jump down but within a minute or so jump up again. Figuring she must not be TOO bothered by our attempts we kept trying.  Now she will allow us to pat her all over, even pull her up to our lap where she will fall asleep!  I told you she was amazing! 

Eventually in one of our couch sessions I got a new pink collar on her. She didn't seem to mind at all. I was having her stay in a room that I could close the door of while we were gone until the day that apparently she didn't want to be in that room alone anymore, and scratched the heck out of the door. (sorry landlord, we'll fit that.) So I told ruby she was getting a leash and being out in the crate.  So, once again, on the couch, hooked up a leash and had her wear that for about 5 days. She fights and twists when you pull on the leash but slowly has learned that nothing bad will happen if she goes with it.  She is by no means over the leash pulls so we do it infrequestly but I do pull her towards he crate when it is time to get in.  She will fight until she gets to teh crate door and then walks right in, waiting happily for her treat. 

Today was one more breakthrough: After several days of leash -crate struggles, this morning I decided to give her a chance to follow the command and not touch the leash.After a few times saying "crate" and pointing to the crate with the treats in her smelling range, she WENT INTO THE CRATE ON HER OWN!  I was so excited, gave her a handful of treats and poked my fingers in to pat her nose and left. 

Here are some pictures of her reviving some love from my brother.  and yes, this IS the same dog.  Can you see the difference in her?  I sure can.

 First touch, not sure she wants to stay for this

Ok, maybe for just a minute

Yes, that's right.  That's the spot.

Bliss

Snuggling Ruby Style

We are on day 6 of the Amazing Ruby Adventure.  She survived Thanksgiving when family came over for the day.  She barked at everyone who made sudden movements but also accepted treats from everyone and seemed to fair well over all.  Hopefully she considers it a positive day.

Progress on a daily level is that she well commonly jump on the couch when someone is sitting there.  Usually she prefers is someone has a blanket on their lap.  She did lay down with me and Daisy and Winter on the loveseat right on top of my feet.  She seemed very relaxed so I thought I would risk upping the contact level and pat her.  First I scratched under her chin and eventually got to pat her all over for several minutes. She seemed to love getting her ears scratched.  I was so excited. eventually someone else came into the room and she got down but this has to be a great step forward.  She still doesn't let someone get much farther than a chin scratch but she survived our snuggle session and hopefully thinks of it as another human test, passed.  Here are some pics of her on me.

She tries so hard

Last night I let ruby explore the upstairs of the house. She was so nervous running to the top of the stairs and back down again. Exploring a little further each time. Because I was upstairs, she really wanted to be up there with me and she fought her very core fear instinct to follow me, even though it scared her so. Eventually she made it into my bedroom.  I think the room seemed like a possibility for entrapment, she only walked in a little and ran back out, more each time until she seemed to have assessed her threat level, and felt safe(r). 

As usual, Daisy (the alpha) was in the room with me and we were on the bed and I was watching TV.  Daisy was watching out for Ruby, seemingly feeling her anxiety.  I decided to just ignore Ruby and let her explore. Suddenly I was startled by the sound and motion of Ruby trying to jump on my bed!  I was shocked, I was sure she would find that too intimate and unsafe, but she really was trying.  Unfortunately her little legs were too small plus I am sure her fear stops her from jumping with abandon, so she ended up frustrated.

Poor girl. She wants to be with us so badly. This is such a great sign, I can't wait until she trusts me enough to let me hoist her little round boston bum up on the bed for the night.  I was so excited with the possibility. Here's a pic of her from my phone as she was trying to get up on the bed.

Ruby's theme Song... By Cake (Kenny Roger's Cover)