8.17.2018

August 17, 2018

White Dog said, "Every time I think I am beginning to figure him out he throws a curve that leaves me pondering."

She was referring to Roman, our enigma and obvious boy at the same time. We are working hard, mostly with Roman's cooperation, to reshape our reactive boy into a calmer, think-first-react-later White Dog. And we are making small steps on a long forward leaps-and-backslide journey.

There is another side of Roman, one which is almost the total opposite of his strike-like-lightning, leave-me-alone side. Roman enjoys being part of the pack. Group sports in the yard with Steve, coffee club in the morning, side-by-side naps he not only tolerates but often initiates those interactions (always wearing his muzzle and supervised).

He has been crated at night in the living room where we felt he could have privacy and avoid being startled awake. Firmly locked in, Roman is freed from his muzzle at night. He seems to understand and goes willingly into the bedroom suite. Since the beginning of this practice however, I have heard Roman awaken before dawn and become restless. Often he cries.

Earlier this week in a moment of momma insight, I suggested that maybe Roman was asking to be included with the rest of us at night. He already joins us in the bedroom for final treats...shoulder-to-shoulder with the entire WDA before Steve leads him out to his living room spot.

With Nilla's move to sleep in the bathroom, Opal has shifted to the open corner mattress. There was a sleeping crate open.  So we reconfigured the kennel so that the door was in position. I spoke to all of the Army.

"Roman, we are going to try an experiment if it does not make Bailey or Opal or Bella nervous." Bailey sleeps in the open crate that is catty corner from the newly arranged one. Opal would be sleeping sharing a side of the kennel (with fabric curtains). Bella sort of moves around in the night.

"This space is going to be your  new nighttime bed," I told him. Steve opened the door and Roman hopped right in. "We will try it and if everyone does well you can sleep in the bedroom with us; BUT if there is mean talk or  inappropriate behavior Roman will have to go back to his living room space. The front room crate will still be used for timeouts and for when dad and I both leave the house. White Dog, Tizenegy, and Pearl will continue by their choice to sleep in the office but I want them to know that the dog door will still be totally accessible. Is everyone OK to try?"

It is now the end of the first week. Roman LOVES his new spot and in fact goes to it unprompted to await the rest of us and night-night cookies. Then he snuggles back in, let's Steve remove his muzzle and lock the door. He does not seem to mind Zsofia, Opal and Pearl crowding close to say goodnight. Opal and Bailey are both comfortable enough to curl up in their spaces.

The best is that being part of the pack has ended Roman's cries at night and as a result Steve gets uninterrupted sleep. This is a small step in a complicated recovery but it tells me that SOMEWHERE in his head and heart, Roman is learning to trust his siblings and think of himself as being part of us.

I celebrate every tiny victory.

2 comments:

meowmeowmans said...

That is wonderful and encouraging progress! Hooray for Roman, and all of you! :)

Alastriona, The Cats and Dogs said...

We are so glad Roman is making progress and that he is somewhere where he is understood and LOVED.