....which is really silly of me, but -

luc and teagan played tonight! and luc initiated it!

i've never seen luc play with another dog, he's never even wanted to. the times it did come up with other dogs he's always been scared.

they've been doing well inside together, but nothing close to playing. i took them for a walk together tonight, and when we got back on the porch, luc was all happy and jumping around and play bowing and he and teagan started wrestling/jumping on each other and play bowing back and forth!!!!

and while she's a little more....violent....than luc, she was so good with him, almost gentle even.

anyways, i know it's silly, but it means so much to me to see luc playing with a dog. it's so normal of him. and i'm so proud he was comfortable and confident enough to initiate the play with teagan, i really think she's a good influence on him.

Not at all silly, Jennifer. This is HUGE!

You know there are some dogs who live together who can't ever play together. Luc's come a long way and that's worth a tear or two.

And while Teagan may be a great dog, I think you are the good (great!)influence.

Jennifer,

GREAT!!!! I am happy for you and Luc and Teagan.

You have brought them a long way on a great path. Keep up the good work.

That's great, Jenn. I played with Macy in the back yard today, seeing a joyful dog is absolutely exhilarating. I'm glad Luc found his joy.

That's fantastic Jenn!

It also shows that both dogs are now comfortable enough to really relax around you at home - which means you're a great influence on both.

Well done you!

Rob

It's amazing, isn't it, the wonderful feelings that can come from seeing our 'pack' in harmony? You must realize, Jen that it's because of your leadership that things have come so far so soon. When a dog finds balance and knows his place in the world and knows what is expected of him it's almost spiritual. I see great things in the future for you/Luc/teagan. Keep up the good work! You're awesome!

 Quote: robbinmann

You must realize, Jen that it's because of your leadership that things have come so far so soon. When a dog finds balance and knows his place in the world and knows what is expected of him it's almost spiritual. I see great things in the future for you/Luc/teagan. Keep up the good work! You're awesome!

I second that! YOU've brought him this far Jennifer, so kudos to your great leadership!! I'd surly be a little choked up as well - for sure! Luc must feel incredibly comfortable in his new life to be acting like a "normal" boy again (we all knew it was in there SOMEwhere ). And Teagan's unusual gentleness with him signals that SHE's comfortable and understanding as well... So enjoy!

~Natalya

Wow - that's great, Jennifer. I don't know Luc's history, but from what I've gathered from other posts, I have the impression that you rescued him from a bad situation? Congratulations on your "kids" playing together. I'm happy for all of you. It's so cool how as you put it that Teagan was being "gentle" with him. It seems that she understands him, too.

Have fun watching your best friends playing togehter!

aww, you guys are so sweet! thanks.

(i actually did cry a bit last night )

it means so much to me. i honestly didn't think luc had it in him, to play with another dog and interact with one like that. i figured that would be one of the ways in which he was permanently imprinted/screwed up, i'm still just blown away, he played with teagan!!!! i love him so much, i can't explain how proud i am. he was so scared of other dogs for a long time, and he's never really learnt to play with toys, having him play with another dog is just really amazing to me.

....i'm getting all embarassingly teary again. thanks so much for all your kind words.

(edit for kori: i got luc end of june, he was 3.5 yo, he'd been in foster care for about 6 weeks and before that he'd been in a no-kill shelter for close to 3 years. they didn't walk the dogs, but let them out together in runs, and he has bite scars on his muzzle, combined with how afraid he was of strange dogs, i think he probably got beat up/picked on a fair bit. he'd never been in a city b/f his foster home, so he was scared of tonnes of things, but fear of dogs has been a big issue for him. also, he just doesn't know how to play, though i do tickle/wrestle with him. apparently not playing is a common shelter dog thing.)

Jennifer...such great news about the dogs.