J. Parrish
Hi Everyone,
We went to Gretna last Thursday to meet JP. We took Mattie (another
GSGRR doggie) along to do the choosing since we had done a little preliminary
elimination. So JP came outside to greet us, he and Mattie circled
each other, tails wagging, noses sniffing, happily greeting each other.
Then we all went inside where they began to play with each other in
short order. It didn't take long to decide this was a match made in
heaven and after saying goodbye to his wonderful foster mom, Debbie
Anastasio, we were off to a new family adventure.
We were spending the weekend with our son and daughter-in-law in Baton
Rouge. Mattie had met their cat Fisher the night before, and the cat
had set the ground rules, reinforced with five claws across the nose.
So Mattie was giving him a wide berth. Then it was JP's turn--same
rules, same reinforcement. So we thought all was well. Then, when the
humans had their backs turned the two dogs decided there was power
in numbers. It was like two hounds on a coon. They chased Fisher upstairs
and nearly over the balcony before he was rescued. Other than that,
a couple of toileting mishaps, and Mattie's very unhealthy interest
in the kid's chickens it was a great weekend. We have, however, decided
to leave them home next time we travel.
During the weekend we decided to rename JP since that name was given
to him as a referral to his being rescued in Jefferson Parrish and
not a name of long standing. After a couple of days of discussion and
indecision several names of Louisiana origin were put in a hat and
Parrish was drawn out. So meet J. Parrish Weber formerly known as JP.
Parrish is settling in so well you would think he had always been here.
He has made friends with all of us, is very loving and sweet without
being needy. Unlike Mattie, we see no signs of previous abuse. He is
very young and needs some guidance but seems eager to please. Parrish
follows Mattie everywhere she goes. He either knew how to use a doggy
door or is a quick study because he followed her out the door the first
time and has used it without hesitation since. He immediately went
to the pool and waded in the beach entry, then lay down in the water.
This was the first night home. He is not thunder phobic and sleeps
well through the night. He gives a warning bark at strange people outside.
He seems so well adjusted it is hard to believe he didn't have a good
life somewhere else. If there is another family missing him, I hope
they have a comfortable sense that he has a new loving home.
Mattie used to spend lots of time lifting our hands onto her head.
Now she is so busy playing with Parrish, instigating play, fending
off play and recovering from play she has much less time for head butting!!
Ron, Mattie and I are so lucky that Parrish was there just waiting
for us!!
Ginny
