Ginny and Gina's New Home

All of us who have chosen to adopt any animal, much less a Sheltie (or 2... or 3, and even a 4th!) do so to help. I never expected the outpouring of "Thanks" from everyone when I started sharing about Gina and Ginny, but it is appreciated for the girls' sake. No animal deserves to be treated the way some of these have been treated. While we, my wife and I, feel a calling in helping out these precious girls, the REAL people who deserve the most appreciation are those that run and help out at the Rescues. There's been so many lovable faces, cute snouts, pleading eyes and wagging tails that captured our hearts and we wished we had room for them all.

Just a quick update - Gina still has her boundaries, but she does come over to be petted and made over if we are on the rug. Ginny is still skittish, but she is exploring the house little by little. We're keeping the girls together at night, and they are in the family room sleeping in the large cage which is not closed. We're looking at moving the cage upstairs to our bedroom, where our other girls sleep, maybe at the end of the week. Let them get accustomed to sounds and movements in our house. The house is a tri-level, so I'm thinking we should keep a gate at the top of the steps. Ginny can go up steps, but she is real apprehensive in going down. I haven't seen Gina move off the rug, so I don't know if she can go up or down. She'll let me pick her up and carry her to the kitchen for feeding. Gina is such a sweetheart - she just seems to have an old soul.

Thanks again for everyone's well wishes and such. We're glad we brought Ginny and Gina into our family.

 

The reason for all girls? That's the way my wife wants it. She then out votes our son and myself 5 to 2! Besides, a happy wife is a happy life! If momma ain't happy, ain't no one happy!

We had a male Cocker 17 years ago. She didn't like him marking his territory and she, for some reason, doesn't like to see a male hike his leg. A male Sheltie was a slight option, but she said he would have to be taught not to raise his leg. So, it's easier with all girls.

Quick update..... Still very little progress on Gina and her boundaries. Ginny is beginning to interact a little more with us. She'll at least allow us to come over and pet her sometimes. They had their Vet visit on Friday. Both are in great shape, as we expected.

 

Update

Gina and Ginny continue to show improvement slowly but surely. It's as much a learning experience for us as it is for the girls. They are teaching us they will go out and do their business AFTER they eat in the morning, not first thing like our other two Shelties. So, when I come into the family room first thing in the morning, I have their food all set for them, THEN they go out.

Gina still won't come off the rugs. But, Ginny loves exploring the house when we bring the girls upstairs.

I've gotten some tail wags from both Ginny and Gina, but I guess the one that warms my heart the most is from Ginny. Being skeptical of humans, she is taking her time to warming up. But when I get the treat bag out... She's up on her hind legs to see what's in the bag. Gina just stands there, kind of looks like she knows she'll get a treat as long as she's good.

The next 10 days or so are going to be a little tough on me, the wife and the girls. I have to attend to some family business on the west coast and fly out on Monday. My wife is real apprehensive about taking over the duties, but she's a capable person - she just doesn't get up in the morning like I do. And me not seeing the girls for that period of time, when I get back we'll have to get reacquainted.