A.K.A. Puppy Girl, Weenie, Bumpus

I first saw Doreen wandering in the road with a couple of other stray puppies. In a weak moment, I stopped.  My plan was to rehab the pups and find homes for them.  Doreen was the only puppy I could catch.

I called Richard to report on my find.  He was less than enthusiastic.  Our new Puppy Girl (shown at right) had sarcoptic mange, worms, a bumper crop of fleas and over 30 ticks.  I settled her into a pen under our deck and began treatment for all the above. 

Richard rose to the occasion.  He bonded with the puppy and named her Doreen.  We speculated about her parentage.  After consulting the Dawg Book, we decided that she's at least half Bumpus Hound. 

Since her mange was contagious, Doreen could only spend limited time with the other dogs.  As a result she was afraid of them.  She was also afraid to come out of her pen.  Life had not been good for her. 

I fell into the habit of walking her daily with the other dogs.  I would open the gate to her pen and just walk away.  Doreen would cautiously emerge and wander around for a short time before she was overwhelmed by her new surroundings.  She would then scurry back inside.

After Doreen's quarantine period, she began to mingle with the other dogs.  In fact, she fit right into the pack.  She is especially tight with Woody.  He says he loves her for her mind but I am doubtful.  The two of them wander the woods together.  Like Woody Doreen enjoys the creek.  When I approach, I often hear her make a belly flop into the water.  She then proceeds to run up and down the creek splashing.  She passes the "No Horseplay" sign.  She horses up and down the bank and gradually erodes the foundation of our bridge.

Yes, she has become comfortable with her new home - so comfortable that she has begun eating our shoes.  She also likes to chow down on a porch plant from time to time.  She recently ate a friend's bromeliad given to us for safekeeping.  Oops! 

Obviously, she has many miles to go on the road to socialization.  I think perhaps a semester of Obedience School is in her future.

Needless to say, we've decided to keep her.  When not eating plants, Doreen enjoys relaxing on our porch with Richard.

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