The Dog Bible Q&A
Tracie welcomes any and all questions about cats AND dogs on both her live radio shows. Call in to DOG TALK on Saturdays from 11-Noon (EST) to 800-394-8830 or Wednesdays 8-9 PM (EST) to CAT CHAT 866-675-6675. (You don't need to have Sirius to call in!)
Reunions
My girlfriend and I have a male Border Collie/Lab mix named Leo who we have owned since he was 3 months old, but 6 months ago we had to move and the place would not allow us to have a dog, so we had to "lend" him to our best friend to be fostered until we could find another place that will allow us to have him. He’s 3 years old now (he was 2 and a half when we gave him up for temporary foster care) and it is very possible we will move into a new place that will allow us to have him soon, and I wanted to ask you if you have any advice and/or tips on making the reunion the best it can be. Personally, I have been very close with Leo since he was a puppy; I have a special interest and a strong connection with dogs in general, and I like to think that Leo will be overjoyed to be back with me, but I don’t want to be too disappointed, which is why I'm asking you for this advice. My girlfriend and I also had a baby girl 9 months ago, so Leo has spent 3 months with the baby since she was born, but it's been a long time since they've seen each other. Any tips on their reunion as well? Any advice you have for us would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
From: Our friends in Norwood, Massachusettes
Dear Friends,
You have absolutely NOTHING to worry about in regards to Leo's reunion with you.
Dogs love all people; they have long memories, and especially love those who were their "first" people. It should take Leo approximately two and half nanoseconds to reconnect with you!
The baby is quite another story, and a complicated one, because dogs have different reactions to babies at all stages of their development, since babies move and sound in new and amazing ways every month of their lives! It's very helpful that Leo knew the baby when she was little, because he will already know her by smell.
There are many things you can do to assure a safe and harmonious relationship with them, now, and as the baby begins to get around on her own. Please read that entire section in The Dog Bible, because it’s way too complex to answer here, and will be something you'll want to refer to often.
Good luck with your reunited family. I’m thrilled for all of you!
Tracie
Tracie welcomes any and all questions about cats AND dogs on both her live radio shows. Call in to DOG TALK on Saturdays from 11-Noon (EST) to 800-394-8830 or Wednesdays 8-9 PM (EST) to CAT CHAT 866-675-6675. (You don't need to have Sirius to call in!)
DISCLAIMER: Please be aware that the advice I give on the air or in emails – or those you see posted here – are not intended to take the place of a veterinarian's advice or expertise. I say this to protect myself from being misunderstood or from your over-reliance on my advice in situations where your pet may be seriously ill and you would mistakenly delay seeking medical intervention. While I am confident in the research-based facts and common-sense advice I can offer, it is never meant to be used at the exclusion of trained, accredited and board certified professionals. But I also have this disclaimer to protect your dog – because what you learn from me is not intended to take the place of medical care or professional evaluation – on the contrary, my desire is to equip you with information that will allow you to enjoy your pets to the fullest, and also to encourage you to seek professional medical attention whenever there are physical symptoms or an overall change in your pet's attitude.
The information contained in the answers posted on this board comes from THE DOG BIBLE: Everything Your Dog Wants You To Know, and from DOG TALK® The Radio Show, broadcast live, Saturdays, from 11-12 noon EST, on your local NPR affiliate. All emails are answered personally and then posted, sometimes in abbreviated form.
