Well, the Kleckner Effect has washed over me. You know, the one where you foster a dog that you just can’t let go. Heh.

I’m happy to report that Jewel has burrowed her way into my (our) heart(s) and I’ve decided to adopt her. She is such a sweetheart, and has shown none of the destructive tendencies that other people have had with her. She is easy to train, is full of personality, and is a real cuddler. If she runs in harness that’s great, but she doesn’t have to if she doesn’t want to.

So the adoption contract and check are on the counter ready to mail today. Jewel has a permanent home, and I’m so very pleased.

Summer will be over tomorrow, and in the wee hours of a sleepless night I've been thinking about the last few months with Jewel. She has progressed amazingly well, going from a reportedly destructive dog at other fosters' kennels to a delightful dog that has just a tiny chip on her shoulder. Carol and I have been simply delighted at her antics, particularly her single-mindedness at finding any available sunbeam to stretch out in on the floor to her basenji trait of burrowing under blankets, even on the warmest days.

She continues to do well with the other dogs (all together we have 26, of which 8 are part- or full-time indoor dogs). And a couple of weeks ago we had a marvelous breakthrough! Carol tries to let her outdoor dogs loose for an hour or so every day, to let them run around, socialize, eat some grass, chase each other, and generally have fun. It's quite a sight, usually 24 or more dogs running loose (a couple of dogs are usually kept chained up for one reason or another), and makes early season training easier since the sled dogs haven't been sedentary all summer.

With Jewel's dominance issues, we just didn't feel comfortable letting her loose with everyone, but she'd be on a chain, able to interact with the other dogs. But we finally let her loose with everyone, and she did great! Every so often she'll get a little vocal with someone, but it doesn't seem to be agression, just some vocalization. She has great fun running around with everyone, and it's just great to see her progressing like this!

I've also been working with her on clicker training. She's just about got Down down, and we'll keep expanding on that.

I've been talking with her a little about trying out being in harness when we start training in another month or so. She seems open to the idea, but we'll see how she reacts when the time comes. If she doesn't want to run, that is just fine, but it would be a great way to get some excercise. I've been taking her on walks and runs sometimes, but even with the Halti she still pulls a bit too much for my comfort.

Jewel is a delightful dog, and it's been a fun summer with her. Now we'll see what winter is like with her in our lives!