Our new Springer Spaniel/Lab mutt friend

We celebrated Michael’s being able to walk (but not carry more than 20 lbs) by visiting the Animal Rescue next to the hospital. Two days later (after clearing out space in our room) we brought Zeke home. Our daughter reminded us it was the 3 year anniversary of Zealot’s death. We have missed having a dog in our lives, but had neither time nor space for a new one. Not that we will ever have a lot of extra time, but devoting attention to animals is part of what we do.

Dusty spent the entire first day Zeke was here growling from under the bed.

Day 3 and Dusty is beginning to accept having a new family member around.

We did have to move Dusty’s food, water and cat litter box into a room that we could close to Zeke. Dusty spent most of Day 2 in that room with the door closed. Then he decided that he didn’t like being alone and so has made a tentative (claw’s length) peace with Zeke.

Zeke had a couple of accidents on Days 1 and 2, but we got his yard ground-fenced yesterday. He spent all of that time outside with us. He snuck under the fence once and I shinnied under that same fence after him. He spent the rest of the time at the end of a very long rope, until we finished putting up bottom fencing. Then he got to run free. He hasn’t had any more accidents. We are all learning how to read each other!

He is a smart puppy. He came to our house knowing how to sit on command, but not to lie down. Yesterday I taught him that command. I’m teaching him “come” to get up the stairs (he never wants to go up the long staircase), and we are working on walking without winding either of us up in his leash.

He chewed up one of our daughter’s shoes, but Dusty has been guarding my shoes. Good cat!

Like any youngster, we need to keep a close eye on Zeke. We will introduce him to the chickens when the weather warms up and they come out of their coop. He’s a runner, and came in as a stray, so will never be out free-ranging with the chickens. Zealot was the same. It just means we will be on our regular walk routine again!

Perhaps the best news of all is that Irene is making friends with both Zeke AND Dusty. It helps that Dusty no longer feels free to lay in the middle of doorways, creating a trip hazard for Irene, and he is more appreciative of attention. Irene loved Zealot. We hope she can love both Zeke and Dusty. Looks like she will.