He was a sweet, timid #rescuedog #adopted from #PetSmart in the last month. For me as a #petsitter, this was a special and delicate case. Jake had only been in his #foreverhome for 3 weeks before his #petparents went on a much needed vacation. I feared he would get confused by his new mom and dad being gone and me and #Chachi moving in.
The organization my #petparents#adopted Jake from didn't know much about him, except for that he may have been abused because he feared humans, and that he was about 2 years old. The Campese family also stated that he'd been shipped around to 3 different #kennels around Texas and had been #adopted and returned twice! Can you believe that!? How could anyone return this sweet, sweet angel?
Needless to say, I figured poor Jake had #trust issues. I went to see him twice before we went over last week to stay with him. I also thought it a good idea to leave items of mine and Chachi's behind, so he'd get used to our scents. When we first arrived, he was a bit timid, but it only took us 24 hours to win his #trust and get him used to us.
Since Jake was in and out of captivity since he was only a #puppy, the poor little guy didn't know how to #play, like #puppies do. I had to fix that! I tried teaching him how to play #fetch with his ball. He ran after it but never brought it back. That's ok though, he at least learned to be #playful and run. Next, he discovered sticks and the great fun it is to #chew and toss them in the air! It was so great to watch him have fun!
Later during our stay, I went out and bought him a squeaky, plush #dogtoy. The squeak startled him at first, but I gently squeaked it around and near him to show him it was fun and not scary. Although I bought #Chachi one too, the rascal still decided to steal Jake's #dogtoy on occasion and hide it. That's my silly, bratty boy! It's all about him- as it should be.
Finally, the best moment came when #Chachi invited Jake to chase him. #Dogs love playing chase ! Even if Chachi wasn't up to it, Jake got silly and chased his own tail or he'd invite me to chase him. We had a blast and it made my heart happy to see my Jakey- Poo letting loose because, he finally could #trust his surroundings and maybe understand that he now has a #foreverhome!
In a recent report from Jake's mom that you may have seen posted on my Facebook page, she stated that Jake had been back and forth from door to door, holding the toy I got him in his mouth and crying. "I think he misses you and Chachi," said Mrs. Campese. So, we've decided to pay Jake a visit this weekend to let him know we're still here, we #love him, and we'll come stay with him again, I'm sure.
I have some great video footage of Jake and my baby #Chachi running circles in the backyard out at Jake's place. If you'd like to check it out and meet Jake and Chachi, as well as some of my other clients, go to YouTube.com and search for : familypetnanny. Have a great day and kiss your #pets for me!