A Good and Sad Day - The diary of Rosebud

Today, the day before independence day was a nice break from work. I took the creatures over to the parents house for a relaxing day in the yard.  I took off Linus' harness and lead when we got there so he could enjoy the freedom of a securely fenced yard.  He really seemed to enjoy himself and at times sprawled out on his side in the green grass.  Almost a smile on his face, look of contentment, blissfully free of chains and bindings.  He tried to initiate a little play between the fence with the neighbor's dog, Annabelle and my parent's dog - all rebuffed by the old fogies so he went about his business.  Even got into a little mischief when he stole his harness in an attempt to destroy it.  Rolled in some poo and scratched his back. He seemed to have a really nice day of freedom.  When he napped, he seemed to nap heavily.

My parents got to meet him.  I held him while my dad patted him and he accepted it though it was clear from the lowered tail and leaning away that he would rather be elsewhere.  He accepted a treat from my mother on outstretched fingers later as he scooted away quickly once he grabbed it.  He slipped up behind her to sniff her back while she sat in the grass.  Her fingers were able to touch his head on one pass.  He wags his tail apologetically but will not come forward.  He probably edged in to three feet away head on and hung around in the general area when we sat in the grass. He would lay down with us but just out of arms reach.  I can walk up to him and pet him, sit down beside him and otherwise handle him but he is not sharing that with anyone willingly at this point.  Sometimes he even still seems wary of me and will get a little squirrely.

It is sad, to see in his eyes the lack of trust, the uncertainty. Just sad to see this neglect he must have suffered.   The berth he gives people, the dash at sudden movements.  They got Fios cable and three cable guys were in and out of the yard and Linus seemed friendly but only at a distance. He wags when you speak to him and raises his head, flicks his ears but he will not approach.  One of the guys got down on his knee and tried to make friends but he made no headway.  Linus just skittered to 10 feet out and wagged his tail in apology.

He will be adoptable when he is able to greet strangers freely (without fear) while off lead in a fenced area. That is our goal for him.  When he can greet people face to face while unleashed and untethered and otherwise of his own free will.....then he will be able to go to a new home. When he learns bite inhibition and does not nip and bite on the rare occasions when he tries to initiate some play with me (or anyone).

His body looks better, still on the thin side but his backbone is not clearly visible.  He has the general sausage shape now and hopefully he will begin to build some muscle.  It seems like his chest is looking better.   Overal he seems to have enjoyed his 6 hours of freedom this afternoon.  He has in general seemed to have a better attitude this week. Turning over the recycling to destroy magazines and newspapers and general naughtiness that means he is thinking about more than just being miserable.