Welcome home, Susie.

Last night I picked up Susie, my first rescue dog frm the the Boston Terrier Rescue coordinator in Sussex. She was going to be dropped off at my home, but the coordinator had been all over Wisconsin that day, so I offered to get her myself. When we arrived to pick her up, Susie was in her crate. She exited it meekly, so scared, nervous. She was bigger than I expected, and very cute. I took mental notes of instructions for her, and we headed home. She was in her crate, and all the while we talked to her. I knew this was going to be a rewarding challenge.

When we got home, Sean carried the crate inside and we let her out into her (and our) new house. Once again, meekly she slinked out, keeping her body low to the ground. I thought she must have to pee- so I tried to take her outside. "Oh yes, this is a frightened dog," I realized more fully, as I carried her down the front steps. We got outside and I set her down, she frooze- nose in the air, nostrils flapping wildly. She was totally overwhelmed. The traffic, the people shouting next door, the neighbor's band playing... all things I have learned to ignore. It was too much for her. She would not move, let alone pee. I carried her back into the house.

Back inside the house things were much easier for her. She is very affectionate and while she does not ask for it like other dogs, she wants attention. She is not intrusive and wants to be in the background. As the night went on, I put her on my chest so she could sleep very close to me. She really enjoyed this. She is truly a wonderful creature.

I will continue to update this blog with her progress. It will be interesting to see how she grows for me, and this blog will also prove interesting to her future owners. This should also prove interesting to anyone who has ever wondered about the cruelties of puppy mills, and in this particular instance, an Amish puppy mill located in Clark County, Wisconsin.