Well, we’re here. It seemed like the longest travel day of my life, but we made it in to our new home Monday evening. So far, we’ve been on a crazy schedule, trying to get the things we need, forgetting a few items, and then going back to the store for the things we forgot, only to make it home and realize we need something else.
The dogs made it in today! They had an even longer travel schedule than we did, and honestly, I wouldn’t do that to them again. When they arrived, they were dehydrated and hadn’t been given hardly any of the food that we had packed with them. Their cages were filthy and smelly, and they were badly in need of a bath.
But as soon as they were let out into their big, new yard, they acted like the dogs we know and love. And when they reached the pool, without a second’s hesitation, Wrigley leaped in and started swimming!! They’ve never even seen a swimming pool before, much less had ever swam before, so I was certain I’d have to jump in the pool to rescue him. He paddled right to the side though and tried to lift himself out, but I had to pull him.
Not much later, Zoe did the same thing, and Wrigley repeated himself not long after that. We’re going to have to give them swimming lessons fast so they’ll know what to do if they jump in the pool and so we don’t have to fish them out every time.
I do think that they’ve been traumatized by the trip though…this evening when we put them to bed, they cried and howled and it broke our hearts to hear it, but we figure it’ll just take time for them to get used to their new home. It’s an incredible amount to take in at once for them, and I’m just hoping that they’ll make the transition quickly so they’re more comfortable. It’s times like these that make me want to let them in the bed with us, but I definitely wouldn’t want to make a habit of it, so I’ll let them adjust on their own time. Any tips from dog owners who moved & had a stressed out dog?
On top of their stress, Mike and I have quite a bit more stress at a close call we had this evening…apparently, some neighbor cats are used to coming and going as they please on our property. One very friendly cat happened to be inside the walls when the dogs were let out, and it was verrry close to becoming a heartbreaking mess we want to avoid like the plague. I mean, cats are fast and can jump high, but our dogs are hunters and we have no doubt would kill any cat that they came in contact with. It’s not a good feeling thinking we have to check the property for cats before we let the dogs out. Will the cats learn to stay out? I hope they do before it’s too late.
I’ll upload more pictures soon, I promise! Our internet isn’t connected yet, so we’re using our phones as a wireless hotspot, and pictures take foreeeverrr to load if they even load at all.
