“Hey, Sox. We need to talk.”

‘bout what?

“About where this relationship is heading”

Whaddya mean?

“Well, you came here to stay as a foster dog last month.”

What’s foster?

“Foster means that I take care of you and teach you about being a pet, but you’re not mine.”

I’m not yours?

“No, but you did come to stay with me on a foster-to-Adopt agreement.”

What’s adopt?

“Adopt is when I say that you should stay forever and become part of the family.”

I likes adopt

“Now, just checking. You want to be part of the family even though there are house rules?

Whaddya mean?

“So when I told you that you were Naughty last night.  Do you know why?”

Why?

“Because you were hiking your leg and peeing in the hallway”

Oh

“And peeing inside is not acceptable.”

Oh

“Unless you are sick.  Are you sick?”

No, I’s not sick

“Then you have to agree to try harder about not peeing in the house.”

Okay.   But you pee in the house.

“What?  No I don’t.”

Yes you do.  On the shiny white chair.

“Sox, that’s a toilet.  I’m supposed to pee in it.  That’s where people pee.”

I think the shiny white chair is scary.

“Scary?  Is that why you come in every time I go to the toilet?”

Yes.  I worries about you there and think you need cuddles.

“No need to worry, Sox.  I can handle going to the toilet by myself.  But I think we are getting off track with this conversation…Do you like it here?”

Yes, but I no likes when you call me naughty.

“I only call you naughty when you are doing something that is not allowed.”

So if I no do things that are not allowed then you no call me naughty?

“That’s right.  I will call you A Good Boy.”

I is a Good Boy.

“Yes, Sox, I think you are a Good Boy.    I think you should stay and be my Little Boy.”

I’s not little.

“That’s true. You’re a big Greyhound. But if I adopt you, you’ll become My Little Boy.  Do you like the sound of that?”

Yup.  I be your Good Little Boy.

“Okay. Then I’ll sign the adoption papers and we can begin our life together.”  

I now make the official announcement that Sox has joined The Balanced Dog as my Little Boy and companion.  He is in training to be a massage demo dog, a café dog, and to like the water and waves at the beach. 

I look forward to sharing our adventures together.

Kathleen Crisley, Fear-Free certified professional and specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand