I had been concerned that it would take weeks to reconcile them (or worse), even though we chose Mo very carefully, with the cat partly in mind. It was so great to see the cat actually take the lead. She disappears whenever anyone other than Pat or I is in the house, and would never consort with any visiting animals.
The real difficulty was slipping out of the bed and getting over to the other side in the dark to take the picture without rousing them. Of course, Miss Bright Eyes found me out, but I got the picture anyway.
Mo is learning not to be hand-shy. Apparently, the most of the handling she had was someone (probably male, as she's more comfortable with females) pushing her aside to do something in the pen or take her babies. Her response when you go to pet her is often to bow her front down. I'm being very slow-moving and soft-voiced with her, but it will take a while to give her her own little voice back and build up her self-confidence.
I wasn't really surprised that she had no idea how to deal with a leash, but I was shocked to realize that she has absolutely no concept of stairs. She hasn't shown any interest in or made any attempt to go up or down stairs.
Of course, in the puppy mill for three and a half years, she was only in a single-level pen. Then a kennel, an RV, and finally here. So why would she ever see stairs? But it had never occurred to me.
The vet in Beebe did a great job with her, healing the heartworms and getting her vaccinated for everything under the sun, and the Humane Society Officers (wonderful husband and wife team) there were very supportive and caring with her (and lots or other dogs as well). Working to rescue dogs from puppy mills is one of their passions. Two weeks ago, they closed out one that had Maltese and Shih Tzus. They save every dog that they can, bring them back to health, and help them find homes. It must be an emotionally exhausting job. And physically as well.
Unfortunately, Pat won't be home for another day or two, so she hasn't been able to meet Mo in person yet. She only has the pictures. That's going to be something to see.
Best wishes,
