Lilly's Journey

Lilly having fun, sitting in the backseat, kissing and a-hugging with Jac

Day 1 in fostercare : Fri 5 Jun Jacqueline settles the bill at Mutts & Mittens where Lilly has been recouperating since her rescue on 1st May, and off we set on the next phase of Lilly's Journey from unwanted stray to beloved pet. Our first stop is Bedok Reservoir to give her a chance to meet Maffy & Stilts on neutral territory, two of the three dogs she'll be living alongside in fostercare, and to give me (sherry) a chance to see how she handles the leash.

Lilly's K9 'etiquette' is highly developed. Her body language conveys all the right messages to other dogs and within minutes Jac has all three strutting side by side enjoying an energetic walk together. My first impression is that Lilly will never land herself in trouble with other dogs. Having her course dictated by a leash is something new and Lilly tends to weave in front and behind, but she doesn't fight the leash at all and with a bit of practice will be quite a pro.

On the walk her tail acts as her pressure gauge! It moves from a jaunty high wag to practically invisible when she tucks it tightly between her legs. Clearly Lilly's dislikes are crowds, whizzing bikes, cars, and quick-moving kids (mine too!). She slows, crouches a little, tail vanishes and she doesn't want to take the next step until the perceived danger is over.

Back at home in Siglap, Lilly gets to meet Nancy - my elderly German Shepherd. Lilly proves again that she has all the K9 social graces, sufficient to meet a large dog on its home territory without causing a hiccup. Lilly finds her spot on the carpet underneath the dining table while Jac and I eat lunch. Everyone is at peace.

Jac who always receives a jaunty wag and a grin from Lilly, encourages Lilly into a crate for tasty morsels of chicken. That works! When Jac leaves (leaving Lilly staring desperately after her) I introduce Lilly to the other rooms in the house. She pads around the perimeter of each, looking for her escape route and jumping up the walls to glimpse freedom out of the windows. It's only day 1 remember.

5 pm. Grub is served and Lilly has no problem entering the crate unpushed (which I've placed in my bedroom) to eat her dry biscuits topped with moist chicken. I close the door and let her out immediately grub is finished.

6.30 pm. Walkies. Jolfha and I take Lilly, Maffy and Stilts down the parkway connector heading to the sea. What a pleasure it is, 3 dogs in harmony! Too many bikes and skaters though, so we'll avoid these stresses as much as we can in our early days together, and once she trusts me I can start introducing her to more sights and sounds.

11 pm. Lilly all day has successfully done her business in the right place, grass being her preferred lavvy! We head to bed in a super-chilled room. Depsite there being a variety of comfy spots to choose from, Lilly curls on the cold floor, under the air conditioner, and falls asleep. I don't drop off until around 3.30 am (jet lag I presume, having only just returned from UK). Lilly doesn't move an inch.

Day 1 Summary:

Non aggressive - flight is her preferred defence.

May try to escape until she settles.

Nervous of new people, noise and crowds.

Easily handled, whatever the situation. Can be picked up.

Great with other dogs, gives off all the right signals.

Fine on leash, just needs practice.
Toilet trained (naturally) - but this is the second day (or more) of runny diarrhoea, must get this checked.

A calm dog, destined to be a smashing family pet.

Martin and I love her already!