Adoption Update: Bruce!

An update from Bruce’s forever family!

Bruce has been with me now for two months, and a lot has happened in that short period of time. In some ways it seems like just yesterday I saw his picture on the website, as ‘Adoptable’, and felt that instant connection that made me fill out the application to become his forever home…He seemed to be looking out of the picture right at me. His foster mum & I talked on the phone a couple of times, the first time for a couple of hours (long distance!!) as she talked to me about Bruce’s habits and history and all the cute things he did. She created a picture of a dog that I just knew was meant to be with me and would fit with my current dog in my household. When I was told I was the successful candidate to adopt him, I was thrilled, but he still had some ongoing issues with his left eye that had to be resolved before the adoption could proceed. Bruce was being fostered in Pembroke, so attending appointments with the eye specialist in Ottawa was not realistic for his foster mum, so it was decided that I could ‘foster-to-adopt’ Bruce, and he would be in my care and I would take him to his appointments with the specialist. On May 24, Bruce arrived on my doorstep with his foster mum, and the moment he walked in my door, the connection was made solid. My 12 ½ yr old Pekingese-mix dog, Mr Pekes, whom I have raised from a puppy, was not impressed that there was another dog intruding on ‘his’ territory. (Mr Pekes had been my only dog since his two Bostie-brothers, had succumbed to cancer, 2.5 years and 1 year previous) I thought it was time for he & I to open our hearts again and expand the ‘pack’ and meeting Bruce convinced me that it was the right decision.

The first few days were a challenge, but once Bruce realized that he was not just visiting, he settled down and became my shadow. Everywhere I went around the house, he went… and I mean everywhere!! Mr Pekes seemed to keep his distance from Bruce, but was constantly watching him, occasionally growling and making a run at him to chase him off when he got too close to food dishes or toys or whatever Bruce happened to be close to. This was short-lived, though and Pekes soon realized, too, that Bruce wasn’t going anywhere! Thankfully, Bruce was a gentleman through it all and showed no aggression, just avoidance. It was sometimes almost comical when Bruce wanted to go somewhere and Pekes was lying in the way, how far around he would go just so he didn’t have to pass close to Pekes. Sometimes he would just stare at me as if asking for help, which I sometimes did give, but figured that the boys had to sort themselves out if we were to be a happy family. It took a couple of weeks for things to start to show real improvement, and now, after 2 months, they are quite comfortable with each other. I don’t think I would say they are best buddies, but they certainly tolerate each other and share things much better. In time, I think they will bond, but considering they are both senior gentlemen, I think they’ve adapted to each other very well, and quickly.

One of my first concerns was that both dogs are used to sleeping on the big bed with their human…and I didn’t want to be wakened at night in the middle of a dog fight! Besides, I found out very early in the relationship that Bruce kicks a lot when settling to sleep, and sometimes, even when he is sound asleep! I was afraid of Pekes getting kicked right off the bed! However, my fears soon faded, as Bruce glued himself to my side and Pekes retained the other side of the bed as his territory. Currently the boundaries are blurred quite a bit, and I sometimes wake up to see Bruce with his nose covered by Pekes’ fluffy tail!! My bedtime lullaby is sometimes two dogs snoring in harmony (or not!).

I was very pleasantly surprised how well Bruce walked on leash! At first, I took him alone for short walks around the neighborhood, until I got to know his triggers, as his greetings when meeting people or dogs are too enthusiastic, and can be taken the wrong way. At first I thought he might be aggressive, but I think he was just a bit insecure and overly anxious to be acknowledged and petted, as he seems to be settling down as he feels more at home and learns to listen to my reassurances. After a couple of days, Mr Pekes joined us on the walks. Mr Pekes has always been a shy dog, but especially so since losing his older Bostie brothers. He was never keen on going on walks as the traffic noises and strangers often sent him tugging at the leash to go home. With Bruce on the scene, now he walks perfectly and it is almost comical to see how the boys will be walking side by side, then one will shoulder-check the other, and a few steps later will get it back(albeit with the difference in size taken into consideration)…just like a couple of pals walking along. Bruce has picked up my verbal cues very quickly, and is now quicker to respond to them than Mr Pekes! We now make it a habit to go for a 1+ km walk every night after dinner, unless it is raining or too hot. Not sure how we’ll deal with it in winter, but it should prove to be another adventure!

Another thing that Bruce has taken on is the same habit as my older Bostie, Butch, had of ‘patrolling’ the perimeter of the whole yard first thing in the morning and last thing at night. I guess it is his equivalent of me checking that the doors are all locked before heading to bed! Before Bruce came, Mr Pekes would dash out, do his business and dash back in…especially after dark, and now, many times he follows Bruce on his patrol, and when he does come in, watches at the door until Bruce comes in, too.

Bruce has also been great in the car. He gets in, sits or lies down and just watches things go by, or sleeps until we’re at the destination. I wasn’t sure how the two boys would travel together, but no worries…they are good in the car together, each on their own side, at least in the city. I haven’t gone on any longer drives with them.

Bruce had eye surgery, June 26th, when the eye specialist decided that the ulcer in his left eye was not healing well enough, and if something was not done quickly, Bruce could possibly lose his eye altogether. As the doctor was leaving on a weeks’ vacation the next day, he was kind enough to stay that evening to perform the surgery on Bruce creating a graft over the problem area from healthy tissue in Bruce’s eye, and using a single stitch to hold Bruce’s eyelid partially closed to protect the graft. I was a bundle of nerves until the vet assistant called me to tell me that everything went well and I could pick Bruce up the next morning. The following days and weeks were a blur with a strict schedule of eye drops, ointments and oral meds. It was a measure of Bruce’s personality to see how he well he tolerated these things with no complaint. He hated wearing the e-collar, and every time I heard it hit something I had to go and check that he & whatever he hit with it were ok. He did adapt very well, although in the first couple of days, he somehow managed to undo the thing!! Needless to say, I kept an even closer eye on him after that! All in all, we weathered the frustrations and restless sleep, and his eye seems to be healing quite well. He will probably be on lubricating eye drops for the rest of his days, but that is a small thing, considering all that he has gone through to this point. He is definitely worth all the time and effort…and the considerable cost that BTRC took on to see him on this road.

I am very grateful to BTRC for bringing Bruce into my life, and for all the time, effort and money spent to ensure that he not only has a good home, but good health and a good life! Bless you all! I will do my very best to give Bruce the loving forever home that he deserves, and enjoy the wonderful love and devotion that he gives in return. It makes my day to wake up in the morning to his big Bostie smile, and to feel him cuddled against me when I go to sleep at night. It is so nice for Mr Pekes and I to again share the love of a wonderful Bostie boy! May we have many happy years together!