He is worn OUT! He was worn out yesterday and spent all night in his crate sleeping. He did one houndy bay and some whines, which we ignored, and he promptly lay down and went to sleep. He didn't whine when Ariel came into our room around midnight. He didn't whine when she woke me up at 3am because her legs hurt (yes, she's still doing that about weekly) and I got up and found motrin and water for her. I was so scared he would wake and start whining to get out, etc. His foster must have crated him. he doesn't mind going in the crate at all.

This morning Ray went biking and the kids and I took him for a walk. He walked quite a ways. The KIDs walked quite a ways! About twice our normal walk. I had to carry Ariel about 1/4 way back home when she conked out. Once in the door, little Willie (lol) totally just passed out. He flopped all his paws and gangly legs on the floor and promptly fell asleep. He slept for a while, then proceeded to chew on like everything except his chew toys. Argh. It was a constant chase around the house to say "Drop it!" and trade his unsuitable "toy" (ie: the kids shoes, the couch, my matress, numerous socks and articles of clothing, stuffed animals, etc etc etc) for his much less interesting rope bone, squeaky thing or ball or the sock I finally let him have. It's no fun once he actually possesses it, the little beast. He wanted every OTHER sock. heh. I called Ray and he brought Willie a pig ear, which FINALLY satisfied that urge to chew.

After Ray got home, we met Brett at Lake Fairfax with his English Mastiff, Roxy. Roxy is about half the weight she will get and she makes Willie look like a chihuahua or something. She is HUGE, and was terrified of Willie at first. But she's a big sweetie and, except for a growl and bark over a stick Roxy decided was hers, they got along really good. They're working with Roxy because she is scared of other dogs. Willie got completely worn out at the park and had fun bounding around like a big pawed puppy. He has no problem getting in the water and wading around. We stopped at Petco and got him raw hide and compressed raw hide bones (irradiated! fun times! bleh) and a collapsible water bowl for when we are out with him. Then we came home and the kids played with him in the wading pool, then we bathed him. After dinner he got another walk (without Ray, who banged up his knee pretty bad on his mountain bike ride) and he's conked out in the hall right now. He only had one accident in the house today, but I think it might be because we were outside most of the day. He's been doing really well on that respect. He's smart, he does reasonably well on a leash. When I have walked him he tries to say hi to everyone he passes, but he doesn't bark. He's so quiet! He barked in the back yard at some people who passed close by the back fence. And that one bay in his crate. That's it. I hope he stays that way!

Tomorrow I have to get out to the grocery store. I think. I'm a little scared to crate him during the day, but maybe if we take him for a good long walk and give him a raw hide he should be fine. With his houndy bark, I don't want him disturbing the neighbours. They are most definitely NOT dog people and i am sure they are worried about the same thing. Shadow is doing much better and will sit in the same room with Willie without looking like he's moving in slow motion. I'm hoping to take him to Frying Pan Park tomorrow to see the farm animals and some new situations.