Meet Connor.

[DawnCt1]

Yesterday was a sad day. I went to pick up Jude's ashes. They had made two paw prints in clay. While there, I met Connor who is just two. He is a champion who doesn't get along with his father, so as a result, he must sleep and eat in his crate and be crated when his owner isn't home. He is an intact boy which contributes to the alpha male tension with his intact father. That isn't to say that he isn't well cared for, but its the circumstance of being one of several dogs in a busy household. Conner liked me right away so we decided to see if he wanted to be an "only child". He was quite happy to get in the car and he bonded with me instantly. Almost too instantly. Photos of him are very difficult to take because this is the greatest distance I have gotten from him. He is anxious in his new home. I think he can smell Jude and is wondering when that "other dog" is going to show up. Every time I get up, he thinks I am leaving and is by my side. I have his crate that I will use if I leave the house. He is housebroken of course, but he has no "signal" to ask to go out. He is very different from Jude. He looks different as well, so that is a good thing. He can be himself. He has a lot of energy. I haven't heard him bark but does get excited, in a happy way. I don't know how good his "recall" will be off lead, so I haven't let him loose in the yard yet. He "gets" "off", "lay down" "wait", but is weak on "stay" and "sit". Jude was highly adaptable. I think that Conner will take a little longer because of his youth.

 

[wvjules]

Congratulations on the new doggy!

 

[Hollywoodhaha]

So beautiful!

 

[sunnyday123]

Very handsome!

I know how hard it is to pick up your fur-baby's ashes; for me it was almost if not harder than that last vet visit. Having that warm furry body and wet nose make life more fun.

 

[jx3smom]

Wishing you many happy years with the beautiful Connor.

 

[minnie56]

Awww, what a handsome boy!!!!
He looks like he might just have found his happy ever after home

 

[mamamary]

It was very hard on me too when the ashes came home. It is comforting now. We keep them under our bed because that was Spencer's favorite place to sleep

Good luck and keep us up to date with the new dog

 

[ckay87]

Aw dangit, now you just made me cry.

Sooo pretty, congratulations. I'm sure he will settle in soon and be calmer and more comfortable.

 

[Smileybug]

Connor is beautiful. I'm happy for both of you.

 

[BCV513]

Oh Dawn I'm so happy for you! It's like you saved each other.

 

[DawnCt1]

He is very anxious. He paces if he thinks I am going somewhere even elsewhere in the house. I would be too, if I were him.He has been in three homes in the last week; his own, the female dog that he "met", his own again, and now mine. While I was in the shower, he marked the doorway. This will definitely be a "no no". When I got out, I saw it, showed him and said NO do business outside. He knew he was wrong, but this is a situation that I need to get on top of. He lived with several dogs. Obviously can tell that there was a dog here before him so I think its understandable, its just that its unacceptable. Suggestions please!

 

[Darsa]

What a gorgeous boy Connor is! Sounds like love at first sight; I bet that doggy knows what a fantastic dogmom you are

 

[Kewz1]

This made me smile.

Congratulations to both of you!

Kristen

 

[swald91]

Good luck with new pup! I know the feeling about picking up Jude's ashes as I'm sure many here do too Connor will never take Jude's place but will be a great addition to your family. I have to say you are stronger than we were-we went searching like crazy for another English Bulldog when we lost Oscar-we love our Wilson-who seems to be on the last stretch here too but they are never the same-but all the love and then some!!!

 

[kirbydog48]

I have a feeling the marking behavior might just be overall anxiety to his new situation, along with separation anxiety. I think tons of exercise might help, lots of leash walks really build the relationship. You could try Rescue Remedy for the anxiety; it's a homeopathic treatment that's supposed to have a calming effect (I give it to my lab after he's had a seizure). I know how hard it is to not have a furry one in the house! You could also check into working with an animal behaviorist.

 

[NMAmy]

I'm happy for you, Dawn. It sounds like you and Connor can comfort each other.

 

[ilovejack02]

What a handsome boy!!

Hopefully he will get on track very soon and become a beloved part of the family.

 

[DawnCt1]

What a gorgeous boy Connor is! Sounds like love at first sight; I bet that doggy knows what a fantastic dogmom you are

I am happy that he likes me and I feel honored that his owner trusts me with him. He will essentially be my dog until he is "needed". I hope that won't be too often.

 

[DawnCt1]

I have a feeling the marking behavior might just be overall anxiety to his new situation, along with separation anxiety. I think tons of exercise might help, lots of leash walks really build the relationship. You could try Rescue Remedy for the anxiety; it's a homeopathic treatment that's supposed to have a calming effect (I give it to my lab after he's had a seizure). I know how hard it is to not have a furry one in the house! You could also check into working with an animal behaviorist.

He has transferred his separation anxiety to me being the focus of it. He follows me room to room. What is Rescue Remedy? I will google it. I plan to take him to obedience but I thought I would give him a week to settle into the house. He has so much energy that I think he would enjoy agility training. He does need to get the basics down. He knows what he needed to know for the conformation ring. I have limited access to some rooms so he doesn't have a lot to learn at once. He doesn't have a bed. I am thinking I should get him one that is just his that he doesn't have to share. He came with a crate and a towel for the crate that was from his house. I wasn't planning on getting another dog, certainly not this soon, but I think he will be happier here since he can't really be out and about for very long with another male in the house.

 

[Brit17]

I'm very happy for you and Connor ... I know how difficult it must have been for you to pick up Jude's ashes, but I think maybe Jude knew too and that's why you met Connor because Jude knows how big your heart is and he just wanted you to share it with another who needed it ...

I also think that Connor's marking behavior is due to anxiety ... as others have said, maybe a few extra walks with him and a lot of positive reinforcements will help him adapt to his new surroundings and calm his anxiety ...

My best to you and Connor ...