Dear Friends of Sissy-
Mostly nothing but great news. Sissy is a love sponge with Lisa. Less
so with me, but that will come in time we think. A few days ago Sissy
and I got back from a quick trip to Maine. There we were largely alone
in our home that Sissy visited once a few months ago but with both
with Lisa and I. This time I went with the hope that Sissy’s need to
rely on me fully and us having a safe neutral time, she’d naturally
would warm up. It clearly worked.  Since we returned home she is more
relaxed and bonded with me. She has new expressions, looks different
and way more relaxed most of the time. She is only very rarely
frightened by me. We’ve been busy since we returned home, and started
advanced obedience that is designed to help with focus and attention.
The methods are “soft” and gentle,  and it’s a blast. Sissy did really
well even though we missed the first session. She was exemplary on the
leash with heeling, turning, stopping, and turning about face. She’s
proud and growing quite confident. Having a tough time with lay
down/stay. We have to get to three minutes of that. It’ll be a month
before we get that I’d guess.  Sissy soaks up playing on the logs and
rocks around our house.  She’ll have a real head start in agility. She
plays alone with balls and sticks in the yard and has recently learned
to be hilariously obsessive about burying and digging up chewys. She’s
“escaped” from the fenced in yard and immediately works to get back
in. She has an amazingly soft mouth and it reflects her gentle sweet
nature. The only problem we have had in the past month is very
occasional growling and fear nipping that we are beginning to think is
territorial based on fear.  The folks we have consulted think that as
she grows confident this behavior will subside and can become extinct.
We have a good idea about the triggers. They are not common nor
extensive, and can be avoided. I think she’s much like a puppy-
growing and changing, and going through stages.
The attached photo is one of only a few that I took in Maine. You
can’t see it, but Sissy is walking the length of a huge log that
washed ashore on a beach.
I hope that I have communicated how happy she is, what a great match
this is, and how we love her (and her us).  We believe that more good
reports will follow. Sissy fills our hearts up and we are overjoyed to
have her with us.

Gary

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