Update on Shamus

Below is an update on Shamus. Shamus was to be surrendered with the other dog in his home that was pure Boston. The family decided they couldn't part with the purebred but gave Shamus the boot. Shamus definitely looks more beagle than Boston, but we made room for one more.

All i could think about is that i belong to a Boston Terrier rescue...no one is going to apply for a Beagle! Well i was VERY wrong!!! All you need is one app and the perfect one came along very quick for Shamus. He is living large in his new home and coming along very nicely. He lives with Jill Nailon and her son in Wildwood NJ.

Jill also adopted Tuppence from us several years ago. She is a very petite little girl and all Boston, but has a tail like a Whippet. Shamus is so lucky to have this wonderful lady and her son adopt him. Please see what his new family has to say about him below!

Lisa Vaughan,  Allentown

Dear Lisa,
I have been thinking of you so much lately! I hope you and yours had a wonderful Christmas and New Years. Shamus is doing beautifully!! Oh Lisa, he’s just a total joy – we love him so, so much!! It’s as if he’s always been here, we can’t imagine life without him. He’s with me, by my side always. No matter what room I’m in, he’s in. Including the bathroom.

He’s never demonstrated ANY problem going to the potty, ever, and never had an accident in the house, ever, so I can’t figure out what the previous folks were talking about. In fact, when he has to go, he dances for you, like a Furby, hopping back and forth from side to side. If he’s really excited, he hops like one of those cars that have the front wheels rigged to pop the front up and down. He’s SO cute!!

His confidence has grown and blossomed. Shamus will now occasionally lift his leg to pee, whereas before he’d only ever squat like a puppy. Just in the last couple weeks he’s also started to “scratch and flick” the grass as if to cover where he’s been after he goes to the potty (which is hysterical, because I’m sure as you know, they are NEVER anywhere near where they’ve just “been”...it’s just the pure joy of scratching the dirt). Well, with Shamus it has not only been a joy to see as it shows another notch of confidence, but the way he does it is pure comedy routine. He masterfully scratches and flicks the dirt, but to demonstrate his joy, he tends to extend his back legs out and hold them up in the air like a ballet dancer – making a very funny and elegant show of himself (and sending me into fits of laughter because he looks absolutely hysterical every time he does it).

Duncan and Tuppence have bonded with him completely, they are the 3 Musketeers. Shamus and Tuppence sleep with me each night, Tuppence at the foot under the covers, Shamus at the top, closest to Mummy, often head next to mine on the pillow. Duncan sleeps between Connor and I, changing throughout the night (he likes to hog the middle of the bed).

My white Turkish Angora, Chloe, curls up next to or on him and tolerates baths from him (he’s taken to liking and kissing everyone and everything...it’s apparently how he communicates). My large black tom, Sunny, has bonded with him and will share a snuggly spot (which is a big thing), and Daisy, our grey cat who is primarily Connor’s, loves him too. He’s actually the most liked of the bunch. Duncan is so high strung that he drives everyone crazy now and then. Shamus is amazingly patient with him, yet he’ll warn him off if need be.

One of his greatest points of growth in confidence is with his rawhide chewies. Shamus has become very fond of them and will carry it with him if he isn’t ready to chew on it yet and will warn off Duncan and Tuppence when they try to take it (because they are spoiled, greedy little buggers). However, Shamus has actually become very fond of chewies and will get very excited when they are offered and usually settle down to happy chewing as soon as he gets his. His teeth are so much better, I’ve been able to clean them up a lot and the gum infection and pus that he had when he first came to us is long gone. His breath doesn’t smell anymore and he seems so much happier in himself and is actually starting to take an interest in some of the toys. He doesn’t quite know what to do with them yet, but he’s interested.

He’s such a fun dog! He’s blossoming more and more. It’s no trouble to cut his nails, he just lays on his back in my arms like a big baby and I trim away (he gets a milkbone when we’re done). Lately he’s taken to hopping up on my lap when I’m watching telly and then laying back with all four feet in the air so that I’ll rub his tummy. He looks like a chubby upside-down dead bug, LOL.

One unexpected thing is his protectiveness. He doesn’t like it when Duncan and Tuppence play too hard as it seems violent and loud to him and if they run towards me, he perceives this as a threat to Mummy and he’ll warn them off with a bark. But, he’s learning that they are just playing and that it isn’t . He is somewhat aggressive to strangers and dogs he doesn’t know, but I know it is fear aggression and will pass in time as he gains confidence and learns that people aren’t going to hurt him.

He’s in his forever home now – he’s my heart and Connor’s heart. He’s a dolly and he really has just woven himself into the fabric of our family and home completely. He’s a wonderful watchdog, yet such a gentle boy. We do just love him utterly and so grateful he’s ours. Have yourself a great day and hugs to all your furs, Jill