A Boy and His Dog: Dog Days of Summer

All of our summer days have been Dog Days. But in the best way!

Quilter has been in our home for just over 7 weeks now. It has been fun, exciting, frustrating, scary, stressful and wonderful all at the same time.

Our family has spent the summer focusing on Eli's relationship with his dog and how she fits into the family, how they will work together and building on the loving bond they started out with. We're tired. And we are covered in slobber and dog hair. And we wouldn't have it any other way.

At the beginning of the summer, we went through two weeks of bonding time when the family could not pay any attention to Quilter at all. It was difficult for us but we made it through. Quilter had a few rough days because of our cat Pippin who likes dogs, but doesn't like it when they are afraid of him... I guess! He certainly has no fear of a 77 pound dog, and she seems to not know what to make of a little fluffy cat bully. So, we've had some harrowing moments.

The cat/dog relationships are going much more slowly than we had hoped, but we are making progress on most days.

Quilter seems now to really be settled in as one of us. She has a much happier, relaxed air about her and is adjusting to life with these crazy people (and crazy cats) well. She is happy to see us all and most happy with her boy. She has really started to respond to his leadership around the house, while she is learning the things he would like her to help with. (ever tried to open the fridge with one hand while holding a big jar? Enter Quilter in her super-hero cape!).

Quilter has become a loved member of Corona Baptist Church (though I think she would just swim around the baptistry!) and attends weekly with Eli. The hardest part is not allowing these loving people to pet her. They all have supported us and gave generously toward getting the dog. So, that is so hard, but everyone understands!

We have been working with the Power Paws trainers and going on outings in the community and Quilter has shown herself to be a sweet, happy, polite young lady and is beginning to respond to Eli and realize that he needs her help. It is a learning process, not because she isn't trained - her training is obvious - but because it is such a new relationship. And Quilter hasn't read the news that she is suddenly a service dog. She is just being a dog with a big loving heart and a ton of skills. She needs to continue to learn about her new "job" and how much her boy loves and appreciates her. We see the bond and working relationship growing, as well as our knowledge and understanding.

Hannah, Naomi and Eli have been attending another week of Dog Camp - Eli for a refresher, Hannah so she can gain understanding of Quilter and dog training in general (and so she can clicker train that cat to leave Quilter alone!!) and Naomi to gain more in depth knowledge of how this all works. We've had great fun and Hannah is totally in love with Victoria, a beautiful soft Golden who is about 9 months old.

We are all a bit nervous as High School looms on the horizon. (well, it's really about to just run over us! One week!) We worry about the new environment overwhelming Eli and how the dog will fit in to it all. We are going to take it slow, but work toward having the dog with him daily. He desperately wants her with him every day, so that is our goal.

Thank you so much for your continued interest and support! Enjoy some pictures!