Everyone, Meet Owen!

What a sweetie!  Owen had spent a few weeks in a foster home before I picked him up, so he had already learned a lot of the things that I typically need to teach.  He is already housebroken, which is wonderful for me, as that's typically something I struggle with teaching.  When I sat down with his previous foster mom to talk about him, he wouldn't stop showing off for me and giving me kisses.  In my short time of knowing Owen so far, I think everything on his Petfinder description is accurate.  The one negative I see so far is the mouthing.  He did it a bit while I was with his previous foster mom, so she was telling me what to do to discourage it, and she said that he has significantly improved from when she first got him.  Since he's been at my house, he hasn't done it yet.  Probably because he's spent the whole time exploring and meeting the other dogs, but I think I'm prepared if he starts up again.

He met Hardy first when I brought him home.  I was mostly concerned about how they'd get along, as I was told that he caught a squirrel the other day!  Hardy is small and fluffy, so I was afraid that Owen would think he was a toy.  Well, he might still think that, but he's not trying to eat him.  So that's a plus!  Owen actually got Hardy to play with him last night!  And before you ask, yes, that is Hardy's play style.  I think that sneeze sound is his play bark.  Strange, I know.

Then he met Ruthie and Tippy.  Ruthie did her typical "show everyone who is boss" meeting.  After the sniff test, she immediately calmed down.  Tippy still isn't so sure about him, but he's getting more comfortable with it.  I think he's just being his grumpy, old man self.  Owen took it all in stride.  This morning, Owen and Ruthie had an epic play wrestle battle.  You can hear Tippy growling in the background, but his tail was wagging the whole time, so I'm not sure what message he's trying to convey.

After about an hour of exploring the house and the other dogs last night, Owen calmed down and settled in for a nap.  He laid right on me, which is unusual for the first night!  That's how much of a cuddle-bug this dog is!

After a bit he moved over into Hardy's dog bed.  I am always amazed at the dogs who find this bed comfy.  It is actually a tiny cat bed!  But all kinds of fosters have curled up in it.

The warmer wasn't even plugged in, so it was just a tiny bed.  Goofball.

Oh, I forgot to mention, his hair is very pliable.  You can give him messy hair, or nice hair.

messy hair

nice hair

And last but not least, night time.  His previous foster mom said he was crate trained, and boy is he.  I barely had time to put a blanket in the crate for him before he jumped in and laid down.  I didn't even need to coax him with a treat!  He was completely silent all night, and even this morning when I got up.  Didn't hear a single peep out of him.

I'll give it a week or so before I write up my definitive guide.  I want to make sure he's comfortable so I see his true personality shine through.  But don't let that stop you from scooping this guy up before then!  I don't think this lover will last long in the foster system!