FatBoy's Progress

Love has found a way. And another dog has found his way in to some body's heart! Look at those two! What a pair! Learning all about each other in new ways every day! Can you see that Rotti Smile a mile wide on that big dog mug?!

They have been walking and talking in this pic, that I snuck in while they weren't looking!

       So I settled on learning all about this breed, with a couple books that some one recommended, the Internet, and all the dog knowledge I have I took my own crash coarse in the Rottweiler breed and all the things that go with it.

FatBoy's not mean or even pissed off, he is simply a Rottweiler.

They were designed to be one thing, a guard dog. The people who were at the design board were simple but smart and they knew what they wanted in this dog and they got it! A man stopper who will probably never need to do any thing other than just stand around and look like they mean business but if they needed to be a bit more convincing they are well prepared.

They are easy keepers in a sense that they don't really require fluffy pillows and bon-bons. They are hardy, strong dogs that can endure hard work and long days. They are loyal and very protective of their people. I never read it but I know that they are very appreciative of any goodness given them, and they don't forget who gave it either.

Fatboy refused to sleep in his dog house for 3 days, until we moved it right in front of our bedroom window where he had slept on the ground so that he could be as close to us as possible. It rained all three days hard, he stayed right there anyway.

Thank Gawd we finally figured it out because we were crazy trying to get him to go inside his shelter, worried he would freeze or be sick.

His coat shines and his eyes sparkle he is the picture of health! He grins non-stop, and he has really grown fond of the full body massages I treat him to!

Today he flopped down at my feet rolled over on his back and lolled his head back in full trust for a belly rub! First signs of real trust and comfort. Yes, love is a strong medicine, strong enough to move mountains, and part seas, and not to bad at making dogs smile either!

DOG UPDATES

Here's Scrappy! That all clown, fun boy who eats other dogs for breakfast! Such a handsome boy and so healthy! He loves Human's, especially girl humans! He has healed up with only a few scars from the battle. His anxiety is off the charts still. A new bought of kennel cough came on 2 days ago and is now quieted. His people are now in phase two of their program so it won't be long and he can be reunited with them. He has no idea but if he did he would do a few back flips over the news. I am personally thrilled that he will be with them sooner than later as he is such a good dog and has suffered much being away from them. It is the root and cause to all his anxiety issues. I hate knowing he is so stressed and there is nothing I can do to help him with it. His girl's will be here to visit soon. He will be over joyed!

FatBoy is now officially our dog as of January 2011! He has come a long way from a chained-up-back yard-forget-about-him-dog!
He has completely healed from the battle and has put on some weight. He has started to settle down in his new environment, enjoying the clean run. He has had some minor territory issues that seem pretty strange to me but we managed to work through them. He wouldn't go in to his dog house even in the worst of weather! He would burrow out a spot under a tree or just sit in front of the dog house in the weather!
We never really figured it out but we think that it was the new dog zip-line. The zip line is over head with a cable hooked to it that comes down and hooks to the dog. It was to short and it coupled with the tow chain that was his collar at the time, didn't give him enough length to go inside the dog house comfortably if the wind was blowing.
When we got word that he was officially ours, I bought him a strong, comfy collar with ID plate and all! Rick got him a new line that was longer and much lighter, but just as strong, and he is a new dog! He no longer stands in the weather!
This dog is a mystery to me. I have not spent much time in the company of Rottweilers. I do not know their behaviors or characteristics. And because he was kept the way he was, he would not show normal behaviors any way. This has been a challenge and will continue to be a challenge. His attitude has changed and he has softened a bit. He shows more affection and gentleness now. Rick has taken him for 2 short walks, and he is so strong! We are investing in a no-pull harness asap!