One Week Post Adoption

It's been a week ago today that we adopted Gracie. I took her to the vet on Monday for a "wellness examine". She weighed in at a whopping 83lbs. She should weigh around 125 or 130. The vet did confirm for me that she is a young dog even though she has gray hairs on her muzzle and face. She said that stress can cause premature aging and we know she was neglected. Here she's chillin in my craft room. She wants to be where I am.

I introduced her to some horses at the clinic.












Sunday evening I took the dogs to the Cemetery. You can read about part of the adventure here. What I didn't write about was an incident that happened with Gracie that shook me up. She had been sniffing and exploring with the other dogs. She would get ahead of me then turn around and come back towards me to make sure I was close by. She evidently got more comfortable with this new found freedom as she got about 15 or 20 foot ahead of me. It was dusk. The sun had set but it was still light enough to see. I saw her stop and look toward my left at something. I turned to look just in time to see a skunk. Before I could turn my head back toward Gracie to call her off she bolted at a dead run, pounced on the skunk and killed it all in less than 30 seconds. I was screaming at her to stop to no avail. I literally saw the skunk expel his scent into the air as Gracie shook it like a rag doll. She drops the skunk and comes toward me. I see blood in her mouth and think she's been bit but further examination revealed that not to be true. I was appalled at what I just witnessed. I then put the leash back on her the rest of the walk. Thankfully she only got a glancing blow of skunk scent but enough I still had to bath her. In all the years I've had dogs and taken them on adventures I have never had one get skunked...until now! Here is a link should you ever need it."How to Get Rid of Skunk Smell in Pets.".

Doyle really likes her but I think he's a bit bummed that she wants to be with me. I told him she'd come around once she figures out I'm not home as much as he is!

We have discovered she likes to sleep on her back!

Wednesday, I had my second traumatic experience with Gracie. I was in the backyard with the dogs. Letting them take care of business and play. I was throwing the frisbee for Kaidence while Gracie and Kajen were playing.

Gracie came to me for attention as Kaidence was bringing me her Frisbee. It appeared that Gracie was trying to get Kaidence to play with her when Kaidence growled and nipped at Gracie who in turn retaliated. I grabbed Gracie's collar to pull her off Kaidence while at the same time kicking Kaidence with my foot to disengage them. I am yelling at them both. I realized I was in a very dangerous position but believed that if I didn't intervene Gracie would have severely injured Kaidence if not killed her. It was all I could do not to freak out! It scared me so bad I was trembling. Once apart I put Gracie in the house to check Kaidence for wounds.

At first I thought this was the only wound then I discovered there was another on the opposite side of her head just in front of her right ear.

Gracie literally had Kaidence's head in her mouth! Although these may not look bad visually, I am keeping and eye on them as well as washing and putting antibiotic ointment on the wounds. Punctures can be more severe under the skin.

Doyle was at work and I had church so I separated the dogs for my own peace of mind.

The more I think about what happened, I think I was the common denominator. Kaidence is very jealous and protective of me. She is an Alpha dog...but I think Gracie maybe too!  One thing for sure We will be much more cautious around her until we get a much better feel for her behavior. I still believe she will fit in...as long as Kaidence can make the adjustment.

After all that excitement I let the girls spend the night. Remi goes home Monday. They kept asking if they could. I wasn't sure if I would have another chance before Remi went home so I let them.
The girls are picking out books for me to read to them before bed. Gracie wants to be in on the action.

She really does exhibit a sweet nature. I am believing things will work out in time.

Have a good one!