It's been almost a year since I adopted Moana. She's gotten more confident and sadly, less cuddly. Although I'm not sure that isn't because it's been hot.
She still wants a lot of attention and interrupts my work. But she doesn't lay on the couch with her head on my lap hardly at all.
Like Bogie, she will lay on the floor with me nearby petting her. But I'd be more comfortable if I could get her onto the couch.
She has decided it's her job to guard the house. She sits in the upstairs window and watches the street. Barking at people and dogs going by. I have managed to get her to stop barking once I acknowledge she is doing her job.
However, there are a few things that make her bark extra crazy. A specific German Shepherd she's never met but has taken a dislike to. Ditto a small dog that is frequently walked by our house by a woman in a wheel chair.
Recently we had some nasty weather. More rain that usual. And Moana particularly objects to people standing on roofs. At least 4 of the houses in her eye range have been inspected. And no amount of assurance will calm her down until the people are off the roof.
She sleeps in the bed with me. Sometimes I make her move if she takes my spot. Most often I find alternate open space on the bed. At least she doesn't kick in her sleep - very often.
Our daily walks are calmer. She doesn't freak out when she sees unknown people. But she still barks at them, as she is walking up to be petted. Everyone we've met has been wonderful with her. And that has helped build her trust.
Overall, she's a great companion, pushing me enough to get up and around. Keeping me company.
Driving me crazy. :-)
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When Bogie died in October 2020, I convinced myself that I was going to wait for the end of that horrible year before getting another dog. I'd spent the past couple years taking one or both dogs in for weekly vet treatments. I wasn't ready for another.
I was still taking my daily walks, but I missed having a companion with me. So after a couple weeks I started looking for rescue Danes.
The first I chose was pronounced not a good fit since I didn't have any other dog companions. The second was a "foster fail" and no longer eligible. For the third I made a 3 1/2 hour round trip to Tucson to meet her.
And Moana was a sweetheart. I admit the name concerned me since I'd never seen the movie. But it took a couple more weeks for the process to wend it's way to completion, and I got used to the name. And made a point of watching the movie. (very cute).
I got Moana the day before the Thanksgiving holiday and had the four day weekend to acclimate her.
She's kind of a blend of Angel and Bogie, very cuddly but also a little willful. Luckily she'd had some training so I didn't have to start from scratch like I did with Bogie.
It helps that I work from home and don't have to leave her. She's not happy when I leave her, but she's not been destructive.
There seems to have been some abuse. She was terrified of men at first. Especially men with beards. But now she is anxious to meet anyone we encounter on our daily walks. Although she tends to bark at them as she is walking towards them. "Pet me, but I'm tough"?
I'm lucky to have her.