Welcoming Flynn

I posted a message on my Facebook profile last Friday saying that Michael and I were going to become foster parents that evening--to a very sweet dalmatian named Flynnigan. Well, we have now had Flynn with us for nearly a whole week and after an initial adjustment period, I think we are all settling into a routine. Flynn is deaf (a small percentage of dalmatians are born either deaf in one ear or completely deaf) and his vision isn't so good. Michael and I have learned to stop at curbs and steps, which seems to signal Flynn that there is to be a change in elevation. We keep him away from low-hanging branches and other obstacles that he might bump into when out on a walk. Michael has gotten into the habit of taking Flynn for a loooong walk when he gets home from work each day. They go over to the park near our house which has a great expanse of green lawn that Flynn can explore without danger of bumping into obstacles. Flynn gets tired out and spends most of the evening lying on his bed in our living room, resting. He doesn't bark much but instead "peeps" which is a word his mom has given to the combination of whining/whimpering that Flynn begins when he feels anxious. The first few days he was with us, he didn't peep much, but the last couple of days he has been doing it more. I think that part of the problem is that he misses his mom and realizes that she has been gone longer than just a day or two and also I think he peeps because he can't see or hear where we are in the house and he doesn't like to be alone.

I was worried about Chloe and Flynn meeting (the classic cat vs dog scenario), but I'm happy to report that Flynn doesn't want to eat her. :) Chloe, on the other hand, is unsure of him, although I think it's just because he is so much bigger than she is. I would like for them to become friends, but given the fact that Chloe has been around Michael for going on 9 years now and she still hisses at him and runs if he makes too sudden a movement, I don't think it's all that likely. For now, they are segregated: he has the run of the downstairs and she gets the upstairs. A baby gate separates them while Michael and I are at work. When we're home in the evening, we take the gate down and let Chloe venture downstairs, which she usually does, because she wants to see her mama. It's pretty funny (although I feel badly that Chloe is so afraid of him), to see Chloe hissing and spitting while Flynn walks nonchalantly past her, tail wagging, with a goofy grin on his face, totally oblivious of her--either that or he's just not affected by her one way or the other. Perhaps eventually Chloe will make an uneasy truce with Flynn--a truce that will allow her to be in his presence without running for cover. I tell her not to worry: it's only for a few months.

Michael and I, at least, welcome Flynn with open arms and open hearts. It's been a joy for me (who grew up with dogs in the family), to have a dog in my daily life again. And for Michael, I think it's been a pleasant surprise that not only are there sweet, well-behaved dogs in the world, but that he can live with one without his allergies going into overdrive.

So welcome, Flynn. We will enjoy you as much as we can these next few months.