I was in a tanktop and didn’t shower on purpose – I wanted her to smell me good.
The handoff was on a Wednesday night around 11PM. Happy was timid but didn’t fight it. At the time she must have been under 10lbs, and her body fit snuggly in my palm. As I took her in my arm, I remember feeling so giddy inside.
I looked at her and telepathically said “you’re mine now Happy, and you are going to love it”. I was in a tanktop and didn’t shower on purpose – I wanted her to smell me good.
Happy’s First Treat and First Toy
After the hand-off I carried Happy into my room, which was the entire basement of our house. I took a selfie with Happy. Then I filmed her on the couch hanging out and nibbling on her first treat.
In the video I said I let her on the couch, but not on the bed (I would eventually give in). After I took her out to pee, we came back and continued the introduction to my couch, this time with a toy:
Pee & Poop Everywhere
What I didn’t capture was her peeing and pooping inside several times over the next 24 hours.
I laid out a bunch of peepads, but she didn’t like peeing on them. For poopoo, she would also find the most hard to get to place for it. I had to crawl behind some space to scoop it up and clean the area. I guess its a good thing – that she doesn’t poop where she plays.
Following Me and Climbing Stairs
We have only met for 15 minutes, and Happy was following me around. She didn’t climb the stairs on the first night, but quickly learned to do it the second or third night. By the end of the first week, she was getting up and down the stairs with ease.
Separation Anxiety
Over first few nights, Happy slept on the couch, where she felt safe, especially because my bed was right next to it.
When I tried to put her in the crate (in another room), she started whining and yelping. It was the saddest sound I ever heard. Even if I leave the room and close the door behind me, she would start this crying.
Eventually I learned to crate train her, and to remove her separation anxiety. But it took about a month before she stopped crying when I left her.
I will have another section where I share all these experiences of training e.g. crate training, removing separation anxiety, staying off bed (except when allowed), tricks, etc.
HappyTailAdventures 