Hi NEBTR!
I adopted Piper about 3 years ago, just after she turned 6. In a couple days Piper will be turning 9, although to see her jump up onto our bed (3+ feet high) you might think she was still a puppy. It's been a fantastic 3 years, and we can hardly believe how much her behavior has improved!
For the first year or so, it was a process of teaching Piper to trust us and get used to a calm and stable life. We don't know much at all about her history, but she definitely had some fear-based aggression. She wanted to be loved, but got spooked at snapped if you surprised her from behind or tried to pick her up. She was too scared to relax, too alert for danger to notice I was talking to her half of the time.
These days, Piper is 500% calmer and more trusting. She absolutely LOVES to cuddle! We still respect her space when she's tired and sleeping (she can get cranky at those times, as we all can), but she lets us pick her up, cuddle her, hold her upside-down like a baby, reach for her toy, and even clip her nails (with a some squirming, and a treat afterwards). She's very responsive to commands, obedient even when we're out on the distracting Brooklyn sidewalks, and loves meeting new people and getting attention, especially from women. Piper can still be a bit apprehensive of large men at times (maybe there was a big scary guy in her past), but even with them she does remarkably well now. Anyone who walks through our apartment door gets greeted by a happy dog that wants to lick their face, then bring them her favorite Kong!
Piper is getting old and has had 2 tumors removed, one on her front shoulder a couple years ago, and one on her back ankle a few months ago. Both were cancerous, but unrelated to one another. We got them off with clean margins before the cancer spread, and both times Piper healed very well. Knock on wood-- she's an incredibly healthy dog!
Here are a few pictures... clipping Piper's nails, lounging on her favorite pillow in the sun, and smiling/yawning on our wedding day. Thank you all once again for entrusting Piper to us, she brings so much love and happiness to our lives!
Sincerely,
Ryan Shanley
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