Duke’s Day: Slow and Sweet Progress
Duke continues to make slow but meaningful progress during his stay with us. He’s definitely more of a people’s dog—while most pups here love to run around and mingle, Duke prefers the quieter things in life. Maybe it’s his age or just his personality, but he hasn’t shown much interest in the other dogs. And that’s okay. Every dog is different, and we’re here to make sure Duke feels comfortable being exactly who he is.
He did find his favorite spot. on my lap while I’m working at the computer. If he’s not there, he’s usually cozied up in a corner where he feels safe and undisturbed. But today was a little win worth celebrating: Duke ventured into our bedroom all by himself for the first time! As a reward, we let him take a long, cozy nap on our bed while I gently scratched his back. Judging by the way he melted into the blanket, I’d say he enjoyed every second of it.
To help him settle in and feel surrounded by love, my wife and mom have been taking turns throughout the day to snuggle with him. He’s definitely getting all the cuddles he could ask for—and then some.
One thing that continues to concern me is Duke’s lack of appetite. He seems uninterested in snacks or meals, even the special canned food his mom packed for him. I’ve been trying to make mealtimes more enticing—today I chopped up a little steak into tiny pieces to test things out. He gave it a sniff, maybe even a taste, but left most of it untouched. Let’s just say he’s officially earned the title of the pickiest eater we’ve ever hosted! 😂
Even chicken breast got the cold shoulder at dinner. Still, we’re trying to strike that balance of encouragement without pressure. I’m keeping a close eye on him because I don’t want his anxiety—or the feeling of being away from home—to affect his well-being.
That said, despite the food challenge, I really do think Duke is enjoying his time here. He’s surrounded by love, comfort, and constant companionship—definitely better than spending the day alone with no one around. We’ll continue giving him all the patience, care, and affection he needs. His journey might be slow, but every little step forward is a win. ❤️
Leave a Reply