The Amazing Ruby: December 2009

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. :)

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