There is no doubt over recent months things have changed here. For the first time ever I was away from my pack for a long period of time, 16 days is quite a time in a dogs life. I do what I can but sadly now they get less exercise and as the weather changes and the nights draw in the doors are not open for as long during the day, but mostly they cope. Sammi and Loki entertain each other which helps ... with Ziva and Mikey often join in in the madness. Asha plays with her ball quite a lot and an aging Tali will sleep happily for long periods of time.
Then there's the other three, Finlay likes to go to bed (in our bedroom) he really is becoming quite the little old man. Jezi and Nico are inseparable. He will even stand outside her crate at night to wait for her to go in before toddling off to his own crate. The same in the morning, he waits for her and they go out together, it's really quite sweet! They play like puppies in the house and charge around like loonies outside. Things happen in this world for a reason, I swear Nico is the best thing that ever happened to Jezi. Re-homing Danni had got Jezi partly there, but Nico's happy go lucky nature has influence her so much, it has made our class clown complete. But maybe we shouldn't forget who Nico was when he arrived here, maybe we shouldn't forget the life he had and how far he's come? After all when he arrived back in the UK his distraught breeder called him "a mental and physical wreck!"
Since I've come home from hospital Nico's behaviour has been a little odd. He's ripped up cushions, (yes multiple) he's chewed an electric extension cable, he's emptied the contents of my bag all over the floor, and yesterday he stole my monkey from the kitchen. All mischievous behaviour that I had put down to a lack of exercise. But last night as we chatted a knowledgeable friend put a different take on things. Knowing Nico's past she wondered if his behaviour was down to the stress he had felt at my absence, and now maybe a bit of attention seeking through insecurity. Though Steve did me and the dogs proud when I was away, they are all still very much my dogs. (Well mostly) The others have known nothing but love and security, without doubt Nico has known hardship and possible neglect. (Though Finlay was a rescue I doubt he has known much hardship, and for the risk of getting into trouble I'll be careful how I phrase it, shall we say he is very much a very different personality to your average GSD!)
So the Nico we know now is mostly a happy dog, he's very very affectionate, playful and reasonably obedient, though less so as he has grown in confidence! Is he being mischievous through being a little bored or is there something deeper to consider? To be honest, I really don't know. One thing is for sure the seed of doubt is sown so I will now be more observant of his behaviour. I guess I can only continue to do exactly what I have done for the last 3 years and do my best to give him everything he needs and keep him as secure and happy in his life as I can. My god our boy sure has come a long way, testament to his breed, his breeding and his strength of character.
