Foster Diary: Week 3

Getting Comfortable:

Oscar is still with me, snug as a bug in a rug. He's found all the "cozy" spots in the apartment, being a box filled with bedding (photo right), an open suitcase filled with clothes to put away, and in the crease between my two bed pillows. 

The two dogs have inched closer together on the couch; makes me think back to their first day together, when they were as far away from each other on the couch as possible.


Somebody's Getting Attached:

He and Ozzie still get along well, and I even think Ozzie is getting attached. I had to take Oscar to the groomers get his nails trimmed, and Ozzie searched the whole apartment in a frenzy, determined that someone had stolen his little pet dog. He calmed down after I gave him a peanut butter-filled Kong, but I could tell Oscar was on his mind. When Oscar came home later that day, big man Ozzie flew up and down the apartment steps, as if it had been a long-awaited homecoming! It was pretty sweet to watch.

Oscar has a small sore that he keeps itching. While I do my best to clean it and help it heal, Ozzie always has to one-up me. Ozzie loves to spend a few minutes each day licking Oscar's sore and grooming him like a little baby monkey. For a crazy wild dog, Ozzie can certainly get himself together when there's licking to be done.

A Fascinating Observation:

While it might seem that Ozzie drives Oscar nuts from his constant desire to play and run, Ozzie does provide Oscar with cues and doggie guidance. Sometimes, I think Oscar puts up with Ozzie's crazies just because he knows that it's better to live with this dog than no dog. What do I mean by this, you ask? Since this little guy is 13 years old, he doesn't hear or see as well as he used to; when Ozzie hears someone at the door, he gets excited and runs to greet them - Oscar follows close behind. When I offer food or treats, Ozzie shows his excitement which leads Oscar to perk up. Now that I think about it, Ozzie is Oscar's service dog! 

These two pups help each other in small ways, and I love seeing their awkward friendship blossom.

Oscar's owner is still ill, and is in dire straits. I hope that he can reunite with his friend, but it's possible I'm going to have to find him a new home. More to come next week...


Read last week's foster post here