Also on 13 July, Sidney reports on BUDDY, CHARLIE & ERNESTINE:

BUSTER with Melinda

BUDDY is now known as BUSTER because the neighbor's dog is Buddy. He is doing great. He hasn't marked a thing in the house and he actually does come when called (more astonishing to most of us than INDY's behavior) and sits to get his leash on and walks great on the leash.

Update from Melinda on BUSTER, 31 July:

Life just gets better and better with BUSTER. We've had another breakthrough. BUSTER is now Mr. Sociable. Can't believe it! I started noticing his increased interest in the people and dogs on our walks and he would get excited as a two- or four-legged would come into view. I wonder if seeing you on Saturday reminded him of how far he's come from life on the streets and shelter and you were so nice to him when he was down on his luck. The separation anxiety I know he has been dealing with is diminishing. And then those bone treats.

On Sunday he "encouraged" me to let him go up to an elderly woman taking out her garbage. He went right up and gave that "pet me" look. She gladly accommodated and then told me about an Airedale her brother had years ago. Had a pleasant chat and moved on. The next day he wanted to approach another woman and again got some nice pats. Tuesday there was a group of three adults (one man) and two dogs. BUSTER saw them 100 feet away and just got excited and could hardly contain himself as they approached. He just wanted more pets and to say hello to the dogs. (I have relaxed quite a bit with letting him say hi and I'm sure he has picked upon this.) Then yesterday my neighbor was coming home as we started our evening walk and he stopped in front of her driveway and did not want to leave until she came over to say hi. He had met her when he first came to my home. Boy, does he know how to be just oh so cute and pettable.

I have also worked a little more with the walking on the leash - when he starts pulling I just reverse and go in the opposite direction. After 4 or 5 times of this he gets the message and does not pull. I am so aware of his desire just to please. I told a friend BUSTER & I are developing an agreement. I will treat him very well (i.e., daily massages), and he will treat me well. His playfulness is emerging more and more.

Back to the 13 July report from Sidney on CHARLIE & ERNESTINE:

I've had CHARLIE here with me over the weekend. He bled quite a bit when he was being neutered, so I wanted to keep an eye on him. He seems to be fine and is enjoying life in a house. He finds his crate a safe haven. The crate is open in a baby-gated portion of my kitchen and he is happy to watch the world go by while he gets used to all the strange sights and sounds of a household. ADOPTED!!

I still have ERNESTINE with me. Her new mom wil fly over on Thursday night and drive back to San Francisco on Friday morning.

Five Airedales in a small house is quite a few, but we are managing fine.

Once I can get CHARLIE to move (he wants to stay in his crate), he walks along pretty well with us. He has gotten comfortable with me and wags his tail and leans against me for pats and scratches, but every once in a while looks at me like he has no idea who I am. He met my parents and apparently thought they were space aliens! ADOPTED!!

Part of his good behavior, I'm sure, is because he is so emaciated and debilitated. Even in this condition, when Rose & Jack & he were out in the front yard, he thought he wanted to do a little sparring with both of them. I get the feeling that when he is at full weight (about 20 pounds from now), he might be pretty obnoxious and will need a laid-back doggie companion.

On 14 July, Sidney reports:

CHARLIE is doing so well at home that I have decided to keep him here for a while. His biggest problem was figuring out that he really could go through the dog door. At the kennel they have the flaps pinned back to avoid scaring the dogs. I can't do that to mine (to say nothing of not wanting to try to air(e) condition the outdoors when it is 110), so it took a day and a half before CHARLIE decided he really could go through the dog door on his own.

When we are walking, his tail is still tucked and he is still looking around nervously and starting at the least sound, but subtle changes in his body posture show definite improvement.

I'll start rotating CHARLIE & GRACE & NINA & BLACKIE one at a time to give them some home time and so that I can get them all housetrained. ADOPTED!!

This morning I was running late so I brought BLACKIE & GRACE & NINA out to the training yard all at the same time. They had a blast! It is quite a sight to see two black Airedales and one red Airedale bounding around together. Although I have had good luck with two girls together, I think in this case both girls will do better with a male companion. Actually, if someone had a MAS attack, I think BLACKIE would do well with either of the girls. ADOPTED!!

I lowered all the dog door flaps at the kennel so they could get used to the sound and feel of them. They all went in and out with no problem, so hopefully that will help with mine at home.

I won't really consider any of the dogs we have placed truly adopted for about 30 days. As we read recently, anything can happen. But, I am feeling very encouraged.