I’ve become a side-chick, or side-hooman more accurately.
Dani is doing well. Other than a couple of days of nocturnal bathroom mishaps, and a slight backslide into heightened wariness, she keeps making steps forward.
She has become more timid around me. Instead of jumping up on the couch when I’m sitting on one end, she retreats to her new safe place on the floor at Mister’s feet.
We do a living room dance, with her sometimes going to elaborate lengths to keep an acceptable distance between us. I have to make a great show of ignoring her when she frantically jukes and dodges me. Like a little kid, if I can’t see her, she must be invisible.
She’ll pace in front of the kitchen while I make dinner but never quite comes in, even when I try to lure her in with MarroBones. She’s curious, and I think that will eventually win out.
Nighttime is different.
When the house is dark, and everyone else is asleep, I become Dani’s dirty little secret. She’ll get on the bed with me and snuggle, nestling into the bowl of my legs, or spooning my thigh. She’ll even give my nose wet doggy kisses – until the other hoomans wake up. Then it’s back into the Friend Zone for me.
As soon as Dani realizes Mister is awake, she immediately jumps up, not giving me a backward glance.
I have pictorial evidence! You can’t deny me forever.
Thin spiral notebook 
With Maggie, if she wasn’t feeling well, she would come to me, but if feeling frightened or insecure, she’d go to Hubby, but then we had her from a puppy. Building the trust of a dog that has a history can take months if not years. It took months to gain my GSD’s trust, then she was loyal and protective of me. At five, she had been abandoned, tied to the fence of a breeders, a nervous wreck. They reckon she’d had pups and they’d then got rid of her. I traced her fear to white coats purely by accident, so either a vet, doctor or butcher had hurt her. My vet understood, and took his coat off when he examined her. She was fine with him, but it was my Dad who won her over. He ignored her, then hung his arm down by the side of the sofa. Eventually her curiosity got the better of her and she ventured towards and then under it. The strokes started and she didn’t move, falling asleep as he continued chatting and soothing her. It sounds like you’ve reached that stage at night with Dani. Wonderful.
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I’m glad GSD’s story has a happy ending. I’m hoping for the same with Dani. We (I) just have to be patient.
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I had her for five years and lost her to mammary cancer at the end of 1990. She only ever barked at Hubby, but had a lovely temperament. Dani has a good home with you. ❤
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Dani is part beagle, but we’ve not heard her bark yet. It should be epic when she does.
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That is so cute!!
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I’ll take what I can get. She is so adorable.
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