After a few visits, I think it’s safe to say Bo has officially shed his “shy and reserved” label. This little poodle has truly come into his own at our doggy resort! Today, even before stepping through the door, his tail was already wagging in excitement. And before I could even get his harness off, he was bouncing up and down with his new buddy Ferguson. Seeing this side of Bo was a wonderful surprise! While he had always been curious in the past, he never fully let loose—until now.
So, off to the backyard we went! I let them run freely for quite some time, and Bo embraced every second of it. When we came back inside, he wasn’t done showing his affectionate side. He followed me around like a little shadow, and every time I sat on the couch, he squeezed right in, making sure to stay close.
By the afternoon, it was time for another round of backyard fun. Bo continued to play with everyone more than ever before, his confidence shining through. But then, he hit an even bigger milestone—something I’d nearly given up on. After countless attempts to find a treat he’d actually try, today was the day. Maybe it was because his walls had finally come down, but to my amazement, he happily ate multiple treats!
After his snack, we carried on with our weekly tradition, curling up on the couch to watch Lost. Bo snuggled right into my arms, completely at ease. It’s funny; while he’s always been picky about treats, he’s never had any hesitation when it comes to our baby’s puppy food. It might not be the fanciest or most expensive brand, but somehow, every visiting pup absolutely loves it!
Soon after polishing off his half-sized dinner, his mom arrived to pick him up, bringing another fun-filled day at our little doggy haven to a close. Seeing Bo blossom into such a happy, social pup has been truly heartwarming—I can’t wait to see what new surprises he’ll bring next time!
Bo’s First Day: From Shy Whimpers to Sweet Snuggles
When Bo’s mom dropped him off, he confirmed what she told me: he’s a shy little guy. The first 30 minutes were tough for him, filled with soft whimpers as he adjusted to his new surroundings. To help ease his anxiety, we gave him the VIP treatment, gentle cuddles and a soothing massage until he started to relax. Bo is definitely more attached to humans than dogs, so we spent an entire hour on the couch together, letting him settle in at his own pace. By the time we were done, his anxiety had improved significantly.
Around 11 AM, as the sun peeked through the clouds, we took the whole gang outside for some fresh air and playtime. While Bo remained shy, he wasn’t fearful of the bigger group, despite it being a busier-than-usual day. He wagged his tail and cautiously followed me through the crowd, taking everything in. Surprisingly, our biggest guest, Kora, who had been keeping to herself all week, took a special interest in Bo, even trying to play with him as if they were the same size. Thankfully, our little resident security guard, Frasier, made sure Kora kept things gentle so Bo wouldn’t feel overwhelmed. Maybe it’s their shared poodle genes that sparked the connection!
Once back inside, Bo showed his true nature, a textbook Velcro dog! He followed me from room to room, from the couch to the chair, from the kitchen to the bathroom. This is my favorite kind of dog, one who just wants to be close. Before his pickup, we wrapped up the day with a cozy group snuggle on the couch, watching a little TV.
For his first day, Bo did amazing. His energy level and personality are a perfect fit for our little doggy haven, and we can’t wait to see him continue to blossom!
Bo’s Second Visit
Sweet little Bo returned for his second stay, and what a difference from his first visit! The shy, anxious pup who once whined nervously and clung to me like a shadow has started to find his confidence. While he still followed me around everywhere, his usual whimpering was completely gone. He even had moments where he relaxed, soaking in the comfort of familiar surroundings.
Bo’s social interactions were much improved, though he still preferred my lap as his safe spot, he ventured out from time to time, mingling with the other pups. One of the most surprising and heartwarming moments was Kora, our gentle giant, showing an unusual friendliness toward Bo. She usually keeps to herself, but perhaps there’s something about that shared Poodle blood that made her feel an instant connection!
We spent some lovely time in the backyard, basking in the sun. Most of the pack was already exhausted from a week of high-energy play, so Bo lucked out with a peaceful, relaxing atmosphere. He seemed to enjoy this quiet time, curling up next to me while I worked or even indulging in a little nap as we continued watching Lost, a show he unknowingly started during his first visit.
Bo remains a picky eater when it comes to treats, turning his nose up at everything I offered. But when dinner time rolled around, he happily munched on the same basic puppy food I give my two babies. Maybe he just prefers the simple things in life!
One of the cutest moments of the visit? Bo showing a growing curiosity about my little girl. I caught him sniffing her multiple times—perhaps a sign that by his next visit, he’ll be ready to play! It’s always so rewarding to see a pup come out of their shell at their own pace, and I can’t wait to see how much braver he’ll be next time.
Bo Growing Confidence in the Pack
Today was a milestone for Bo! He has been mastering the art of socializing without stress or nerves, and it truly showed. While he may not engage in the high-energy zoomies like some of the other pups, he has found his own rhythm, calm, independent, and content.
With me busy tackling some real-world responsibilities (you know, the ones that pay the human bills), the whole crew was surprisingly relaxed, each dog enjoying their own version of playtime. And Bo was right there in the mix,no whimpering, no hesitation, just confidently weaving through his furry friends, curiously exploring every corner of the house.
Once again, he showed zero interest in snack time, even ignoring his own food at first. But when it came to our puppy kibbles, he was all in! So, I mixed a few into his dinner and in the blink of an eye, he devoured it.
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