Lulu's Adoption Day

We introduced Lulu and ROMEO with dog officer Kevin Sullivan on a walk at the shelter and it went well. Then we came home and had lunch and walked on Edgewater Drive and introduced Lulu to Uncle Peter Mahoney. 

We all walked together for a while and gave Peter a lift home from Milton Street. When we returned to our house we set up a bed for Lulu and now Romeo and Lulu are napping on their separate beds next to us. Lulu snores louder than Bill. I love her!

UPDATE: Lulu and Romeo slept with us in the Queen sized bed. They had extra blankets since our bedroom is freezing. Family bonding. I woke up and Lulu was draped over Bill's chest and he didn't mind. 

We're going to schedule a wellness check at our vet. Today she and Romeo had their HW prevention meds. They are synchronized but Lulu gets the smaller dose being 10 pounds lighter.

UPDATE: The first night went well. I woke up a lot because my shoulders and hands were sore maybe from the workout with the swim team. She snores like a trooper! So does Romeo and Bill. A chorus of three!! 

Romeo and Lulu have been copacetic and relaxed on their separate beds. Kevin told us to keep Lulu on the leash even inside to keep her bonding with me and having corrections and connections in real time. Smart advice! She is already comfortable and seems to know commands. 

This morning fed her in the crate and she stayed in while I showered and then I released her.

I forgot my reading glasses downstairs, I was able to go get them and she stayed sleeping.

I am still so excited and happy. Ever since I was 5 years old I knew I was part of the canine tribe, not a human family. My spectacular nose proves it. Lulu had a sponge bath yesterday but she smelled good even before that. They must have bathed her before I came to get her. No kennel smell.

A lady who works at tractor supply told me a few days ago she once adopted a dog that had the kennel smell and so she had the dog professionally washed and he came back smelling the same. We laughed. Perhaps it was the smell of the soap. We use oatmeal soap for dogs. Gentle inexpensive Hartz brand.

I had an extra red leash and red collar and Kevin gave me a winter coat for Lulu which was so kind. I was worried about the zero degree weather. 

Day 3 We had a good second night of sleep. I slept and so did everyone. A certain walking eating napping chill time routine has been established. I am still not ready to run off and do my chores but I will have to one of these days.

We joke about calling her Lulu Merle Calhoun, a real southern sounding name! 

Some background...on January 7th I saw Lulu's face on social media Her name was Wednesday after the dark eyed Charles Addams cartoon character. But those dark eyes suggested Lulu to me. They're o's should we name her Olga. Two o's make "oo" she's Lulu my husband said. He's right. I have a poster from first grade in my office from learning the oo. Room Cool Soon Tooth!

January 6th or 7th I contacted the dog officer Kevin and asked him about the dog. He said We're waiting for her to be claimed, you can fill out an application. I did. 3 weeks went by. I saw her on Petfinder. I wrote back. You can fill out an application. I did. Okay, we found it. Would you like to come meet her? I went on Friday and fell in love. I expressed my concerns about how this might affect my senior dog. Kevin said you can bring your dog here for a meet and greet. I said The next step is bringing my husband for a meet and greet. And I did That was Saturday. Sunday we brought Romeo to meet Lulu on a walk and they were great. Then we could be off leash in the office. We brought her home. I had unearthed the old LL Bean Dog bed covers and washed them and stuffed them with blankets. We separated the beds and they each have a zone. We all sleep on the Queen sized bed. I do have to carry her the first 5 steps downstairs to the cellar because they are curved and scary. But that's a bit of weight lifting for me!

We had a lovely big walk yesterday down my street in Blackstone MA where there are wider streets and fewer cars. I ran into Elyse and Deb both serial dog lovers.

Lulu's history: 

Lulu's owner called Blackstone Animal control but was told we are outside your jurisdiction. You need to go to Woonsocket's shelter but it is under renovation So you need to go to the police Dept in Woonsocket.

The owners were fleeing! The last place they felt comfortable was at a police department. They promptly drove to Blackstone, the next town and dropped her. Luckily residents called right away. She was taken to Tufts for spay and vaccines and heartworm test and checkup. She healed from all of that when I checked in and was able to meet her and adopt.

 Susan and Kevin run the Blackstone Animal Shelter and they are awesome. They are obviously devoted and work 24/7. I would like to help them again in some way. Maybe I could photograph dogs and cats for them. "I have a god eye!" I said. They said SURE!

 Kevin gave us great advice. Keep her on the leash indoors to correct anything in the moment and to have her bond with you. Smart advice! People have made the mistake of opening their back door and their new dog runs away. Last week this happened to an adopter at 2:30 AM. Luckily the dog ran back to the shelter at 2:30 AM and Susan got out of bed in the 12 degree night and took care of everyone. This is what I mean. DEVOTED!!!