After the Adoption:

What to Expect When Your New Friend Comes Home

part 3 of 3

Settling In. . . Patience begets Rewards

Settled In
You'll realize your new dog has settled in by the little things. All of a sudden, you'll notice your new friend is excited at the sound of car keys. He'll begin to sit down next to you, wherever you are. He'll start staring at the counter where the dog cookie jar is, waiting for a treat. He'll begin to realize that when you're at the front door, there's a 1-in-10 chance you might be getting ready to take him for a walk.

If your new dog was abused before being rescued by the shelter, you may notice the things he doesn't do: he stops jumping at certain everyday sounds, like a door closing or a drawer opening, and begins ignoring them; he stops backing away from you when you approach, and starts wagging his tail at your sight; he stops walking with his tail down, and begins carrying it higher and higher. You'll know when your new dog has settled in.

The Rewards
The ultimate reward is knowing that you've given a "second-hand dog" a new home and "a second bite out of life," as one writer put it. In return for your patience and love, you'll watch your new dog come out of his shell, gradually but unmistakably, and bond with you in ways you never imagined. You'll end up with a friend who trusts you implicitly, who can't wait for you to come home, and for whom you are now the center of the universe.

Because they've been abandoned, and because their hearts have been broken at least once, second-hand dogs try harder. You'll see it. And you'll be richer for it.Trust me, I know.

Special thanks
to Adopt-a-Pet of Washington state for a VERY similar page on their web site (okay, so I stole their idea and some of their words). Their page gave us tons of information an how to make Checkmate feel more welcome, and good news needs to be spread around.

jump to other "what to expect" links:

First Things First | What to Expect | The Early Weeks | Grooming Your Cocker

This page updated 4/9/06 Get your own FREE Website at