Here we go!
This morning, Friday.
Visits are heavily supervised but I try to stay out of it and have something else I’m at least pretending to do.
Shortly after I took this photo, Auggie launched at Bear. Bear did quite well in response. I think he is trying to figure out exactly what to make of Auggie. When it looked like Bear was getting a bit too excited and Auggie changed from “boxing” to a hiss, I stepped in. After a little separation I let them have a bit more time, quietly – to end on a peaceful note. That’s the current plan with continued time together and hopefully less and less interference from me. I’ve put away the gates – they just frustrated us all. So, it will either be together or sunroom separation, as well as Bear has the outdoors to himself when he wants.
I’m guessing that Bear did not have any critter playmates or else it has just never been something he was interested in. Bob was a good start for him being older, quieter and having his own established routines. Auggie is a whole different thing – he wants to play and I’m thinking he might like to snuggle up to a warm, furry beardog.
Fun, fun, fun!
I bought Auggie a bright green slip harness and let him play with it for several days. Yesterday, I put it on him and also attached a leash. He fussed at the harness for a bit, then got distracted by the leash and when I took the leash off acted like he’d forgotten about the collar and went about his business. I’ve been taking Auggie outside in my arms – we walk around, visit Bear, I let Auggie look and sniff and start figuring out the yard. We’ll move on to some leash following, i.e. I’ll follow him … I have no illusions that he’ll walk with me :) !!
I fool myself into thinking I can train a cat. We’ll see who wins that game!