New Baby Sister

This is Presley and Diesel's new baby sister that we adopted today from the Humane Society of Huron Valley in Ann Arbor. She's a 6-month-old Rottweiler and weighs about 41 pounds.

We're going to choose a new name for her after we get to know her a little better. She had been called Trina. For now, we call her "Meat Stick". I know it's weird but she is quite beefy, so the nickname fits.

At the shelter, we went through an extensive introduction process, first with Presley, then separately with Diesel to see how they would get along. Neither of our girls were really interested in playing with the pup, even though she kept trying to get their attention. Presley was her usual self -- growling and snarling at the pup every time she came near. Diesel just wanted to investigate all of the strange and wonderful smells in the pen.

After about 90 minutes of letting the girls get acquainted and talking with the shelter staff (Kaia and an assistant), we agreed that the pup was "the one". We filled out the adoption paperwork, paid the $200 fee, and were on our way.

I tried to hold her on my lap on the drive home, which was really difficult because she is quite heavy and squiggly. Presley and Diesel ignored her all the way home and the pup kept trying to wriggle free so she could check everything out. She licked my face, ears and neck quite a few times, which caused me to break out because my skin is very sensitive to dog slobber. I looked like a lobster.

When we got home, we let the pup explore the backyard on her own. When we let Presley and Diesel into the yard, within seconds Diesel and the puppy were roughhousing and playing chase. Presley stayed more reserved and actually reprimanded Diesel for playing too rough with the baby.

After dinner, the girls all chilled out in the living room with bones. At one point, Presley let the pup lay near her on the cushion and even let the pup put a paw on her. It will take a few days for everyone to get acclimated, but so far so good.

We took her to PetSmart to get some supplies, then to my mom's house to get the crate. We forgot how huge this crate actually is. After rearranging some of our bedroom furniture, we now have beds for all three girls in the bedroom. Bedtime is bound to be interesting tonight.

The pup had been surrendered to the shelter one week ago today. Her prior family had two young children and could not handle her. They thought she was too "mouthy", which is typical puppy behavior because they love to chew and put everything in their mouths. The family indicated that they tried to discipline her with a paper, a rolled up newspaper, I imagine. They had adopted her from a family member but the shelter did not know her exact birth date.

She knows how to sit, comes when called, and plays fetch. She also likes to look at herself in the hall mirror. She's not 100% house trained and has had two #1 accidents in the house.

I'd better sign off. The baby is rubbing up against Presley, to her slight displeasure. More photos and updates to come.