Halo's First Day

Halo's First Day

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Halo's first day with her new foster family

Angels have halos. This dog will grow up to guide someone who is visually impaired. She will be a guardian angel. That's why her name is Halo.

Halo is a German Shepherd bred by the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation in Bloomfield, CT. She is 9 weeks old, and smart as a whip! She is already learning sit, down, stand, heel, take it, leave it, and touch. "Touch" means that she will touch her nose to your hand -- even though the food reward is in the other hand. Before I was allowed to bring her home, I had to practice each of those things in front of the one of the Fidelco staff members. I'm proud to say that both Halo and I passed on the first try. :)

Halo traveled to her new foster home in a crate in the back seat of my car; she cried for several miles until we got to the highway. Then she laid down and slept all the way home. I had to fight the urge to keep looking in the back seat at her adorable face, sleeping. She needed that rest, because when she got home she met my two already-grown pet dogs, Midnight (a 9-year-old black lab mix) and Harley (a 4-year-old golden retriever). Chaos!!!! I think she was a little afraid at first, but within a few hours she was initiating (instigating???) play with Harley. I am amused by the sight of my 60-pound golden lying down at Halo's eye level, playing with each other as if they've been friends forever. Midnight, on the other hand, isn't so sure of Halo yet...

Things Halo has done today:
  • carried around a nylabone that is longer than her legs
  • discovered that her water dish makes a nice wading pool 
  • slept under a stool that she won't be able to fit under in a week or so
  • "got busy" (translation: went potty) in the driveway
  • retreated to her crate on her own to take a nap
  • wound her way into my heart. <3
Despite a few piddle accidents in the house today, we're off to a great start. How can I help but love that adorable face?

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