Strays in the Hood: Rocky Update

Hey Pals,

I haven't been posting updates about Rocky because 1. He's spoken for. Our cousin in Norman, Ok wants him when he's ready.  and 2.  While Rocky was the first dog to warm up to us, he's been the last to fully come around.  

Rocky's first time in the house, He went straight to the couch.

Truly the rebel, Rocky would come over to eat, sleep in our garage, leave us nice gifts in the backyard (poop joke), but we couldn't get him to stay around at night.  He would sleep and eat here, but at night, he'd jump the fence to our neighbor's yard.  

After Deuce found his furever home, we've been able to spend more time with Rocky.  Before, we had to shuffle them in the house, garage, and backyard.  Deuce and Rocky didn't get along so well.  But Rocky and Nala are best buds, so keeping him in the family is so exciting. 

Man, do we need another one of these beds

The big challenge has still been how to make Rocky stay overnight and not want to escape.

We realized that him sleeping all day, left him pretty restless at night.  Since he's not in love with the leash, going for a walk with him is not an option.   

He didn't like the soccer ball, all of the stuffed toys would be quickly de-stuffed, but we did learn he likes squeaky toys. 

Yesterday, I bought a KONG Extreme for him and a KONG airdog bone and I'm happy to say, both worked.

He stayed there for a few seconds.  Mr. Restless just couldn't stay still for too long.

During the day, I'd purposely wake him up to play, Brought Nala in and out of the yard, so he'd get excited and want to play.  I froze some of his favorite treats in the KONG and waited.

Last night, I gave him a KONG and Nala her KONG.  She got busy on hers, he was still pretty fidgety, but he noticed how much fun she was having.  A nice growl from her let him know he was not going to get hers. 

 As I was ready to go to bed.  I grabbed his KONG and put it in the garage.  We didn't hear a peep from him.  He scratched on the door @ 3am.  I think to remind me that I'd left the light on.  I turned the light off and we didn't hear from him again.

He's had breakfast, and is now in the backyard with Nala (napping).    I know these are baby steps, but whew what an awesome baby.