Whaddya doing, puppy?

Tonight Faccia was walking around with a deflated football in her mouth and Mason walked up to her and TRIED TO TAKE THE BALL! They really like to play together. Mason confidence shows when they play.

It's a hot day

In the afternoon Steve took both dogs out and it was so hot they all just sat down in the grass and soaked in the sun. When they were both panting, they all went inside and sat on the floor. Chew and chew and chew.

Settling In

Mason met two new dogs on our morning walk. He did great with both. He saw a neighbor that we've seen a couple of times and we practiced eating treats from her hands...

Faccia and Mason were very excited tonight. After belly rubbings for both dogs they played really well in the den and Mason was so excited and playful.

Tonight the dogs had fun chewing on their bones again... that makes us very happy. As I'm sitting on the floor writing Mason is sitting right next to me...he likes to be close, he's very affectionate and loves to give kisses when you least expect it...

1 Week today..

This morning to the early afternoon was a bit rainy. Mason and Faccia hung out in the Den and chewed bones together. Faccia was lazy and went upstairs to sleep on the bed. Mason was looking for Faccia up the stairs. Later Faccia came downstairs and jumped on the couch while Mason layed on the floor infront of the couch. He seemed content that Faccia was back.

As I'm sitting here Mason and Faccia are laying next to me (on the same side!) They are actually about 3 inches from each other and they have two bones between them that they are chewing on. Faccia decided that she wants Mason's so Mason allows Faccia to take his bone but he takes the one she was chewing on right back. This is amaying! From Faccia sharing to Mason being so comfortable and a bit confident.

So Tired...

We are so tired after a long day of play.

Fun day outside

This morning was the first time that Faccia got in a play position to play with Mason. Mason was so excited that he was standing then laying lifting his paw, etc...it was so cute.... he was very excited that Faccia was giving him that type of attention.

We spent alot of time outside together today. Mason had a great time lying in the grass watching Faccia play in the pool (kiddie and big) and running around the yard. I combed Mason with the "Furminator" a de-furing brush. This is perfect for both Mason and Faccia's length hair. We walked around the yard on the leash together so he becomes comfortable in the yard. It was hot so we took out the kiddie pool. Mason was a little hesitant at first but he did eventually go it with some encouragement. After Faccia was tired we put her in the house to rest. Steve and I gave Mason a bath and gave him lots of attention telling him how good he was. We toweled him a bit and he laid in the sun with me to to dried off. Steve was inside for a while and when he came outside Mason gave him a little bark. It was cute. Mason realized it was Steve and was fine when he walked over.

Meeting some neighbors

Mason has been enjoying long walks around the block and today we made it almost all the way up the block..a different route..he did well...

He has been meeting some of the neighbors, their babies and some other dogs in the neighborhood. of course, he's happy to see the dogs and goes right up to
them..but shy with people..and not sure of baby carriages yet...but we are working on all that..he's been eating some treats out of some neighbors hands...they are so use to Faccia that they are all interested in Mason...Faccia is being very good with sharing her friends with him...

he's learning new words like, "let's go" "let's go for a walk" and encouraging that the leash is for a fun walk...we're taking it very slow...

It seems that faccia is getting use to seeing him now.. :)

First Day

Marleen stopped by with Mason at 2:30. We were excited to see them. Faccia, Steve and I were out front waiting for them. We all sat on the lawn for a while and then went for a walk. Mason was shy and submissive, but liked our walk to the park. When we got back to the house sat in the front again for a little while. Faccia gave Mason a little growl (she is a little dominant, but not an "Alpha"). After a little bit, we all went in the backyard and sat together in the sun talking.

Marleen left after about half an hour and Faccia, Steve, Mason and I stayed outside. I groomed Mason with a "defurring" brush and he really seemed to enjoyed. He licked my hand. He still was a little shy around Steve and kept an eye on Faccia.

We went inside and introduced Mason to his crate, which he seemed very comfortable in. We all sat in the den together with Faccia and Mason on leashes. Mason jumped on the loveseat, but we gently told him "Off" and brought him down with us - he seemed to go on there to "get away" from us. Since Mason hadn't eaten, we fed him in his crate, just like Marleen did. He didn't eat and laid down and seemed to take a nap.

After a little while we took him out to try to pee, but he didn't. We can back inside and spent some time with him. Faccia was separated by a wooden, sliding baby-gate and was curious about him, but didn't bark or anything. After a while, Faccia went upstairs and took a nap.

We put Mason in the crate and gave him HoneyNut Cheerios as a treat. He ate the treats, but did not eat his food.

About 30 minutes later, we all went for a walk down to the park. Mason did very well on the leash, but was hesitant to walk in front of me and wanted to stay close to Faccia. He finally peed.

We all came back to the house and went inside. Mason was out of the create lying on the floor and we sat with Faccia on the leash. She's very curious about him. Mason is really good with me, but still shy around Steve.

After a hour or so, we went for another walk, all together. We saw a neighor with her two little girls (infant in a stroller and 18 months walking). They love Faccia and we really excited to see Mason. Mason did very well with the them, even seemed to enjoy all the attention. After a few minutes, we did our walk and this time went all the way around the block.

[Unfinished Entry]

What have I gotten myself into?

Tomorrow we get Mason, our first foster dog.

For the last 2 months, I've been talking and volunteering with Lost and Found Dog Rescue in Delaware. A few weeks ago we visited Marleen at her home to meet candidate foster dogs.

"We" are my husband, Steve, myself (Cristina), and Faccia. We live near King of Prussia, PA.

Faccia is our two year old Cane Corso (Kah nay Kor so; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cane_Corso). She's about 24" and 90 lbs, so not that big for a Corso, but big enough.

We met a few dogs, but Mason was the best fit. Mason is a collie, maybe collie mix, Portuguese Water Dog and still a puppy, about 9 months. He's about 18" and 40 lbs. (http://www.lostandfounddogrescue.org/animals/detail?AnimalID=120304)