This weekend was amazing. I checked out of Mays Manor and into my forever home!
I am a pretty low key kind of gal and the last couple of weekends have been full of non-stop excitement! From the big fella in a red suit visiting, along with meeting foster family members, to bringing in the New Year camping by the water with strangers (who are no longer strangers), to meeting the best family a girl could ever ask for.
Foster Mom was telling me all about the Staudt family all the way to their home Saturday and I was getting really excited. I was like, “My goodness. I could have my very own mom and dad, a skin sister and skin brother, a fur dog sister and two fur kitty sisters!” I had always dreamed of having my own family, but never thought it could be so big.
As excited as I was, I also was really nervous. You see, I am a little scared of new people and the more I thought about it, the more nervous I got. Will they see my true potential? Or will they see nothing more than a scared pup?
We got there and they were all so nice… giving me space and treats! I explored the house, the whole family and outside. It took a little time, but before long, I was giving Michelle (aka Mom) kisses and at that moment, they could see my potential.
They could see I was very curious and I wanted to chase Allie (aka my skin sister), but I was a little scared. Gabe (aka skin brother) was all about giving me treats and making me draw (he’s an artist). I kind of walked around Aaron (aka Dad), but he understood that, for some reason, I was a little more scared of men. He was OK with that and very patient with me.
When we left, Foster Mom asked what I thought about having the new name “Patsy Cline Staudt?” I was ecstatic. I’d like to say I was jumping for joy, but I just laid down and was already asleep, dreaming of tomorrow when my new family was going to come and pick me up.
My name is Patsy Cline Staudt and I now have a mom, dad, skin sister, skin brother, a fur dog sister and two fur kitty sisters!
I may look a little scared in my photos… that’s because I am. I’m only 11 months old and this might be the first time I’ve taken in a ride in a rescue wagon.
My brother is Johnny Cash and he promised me we would ride in a crate together, but guess what? Johnny picked the smallest crate, closest to the treat bag, and there was no room left for me. He has always been my “go-to dude” when things get scary, but not today. Johnny forgot about me and I was shaking.
I’m sure glad the music was loud because everyone would have heard my soft sobs. When you don’t go out much, you’re only familiar with your own home. You know? It can be a little unnerving to be outside your comfort zone.
Dr. Larsen was so sweet to me. She told me that big girls can still cry and crying is alright. Dr. Larsen and I are going to be best friends. She says I can cry until I feel better. She said she’ll make Johnny Cash stay with me and if he won’t, she will!
9/8/22 Update: Patsy Cline joined our foster home last week. She was so shy and scared, we almost couldn’t get her in the door. It’s almost impossible to get her outside to go on a walk, but once she makes it past the front door, she’s the happiest puppy ever.
Slowly but surely, Patsy is learning what it’s like to be a spoiled Bulldog puppy. She loves playing in the mud and uses the doggy door to get outside – she uses it anytime she needs to potty or if she gets spooked. Our family is under a strict “inside voice” restriction until she gets a little more used to our hustle and bustle.
Fun fact: Patsy is our lucky #13 foster dog. She joined us almost a year to the day since we got our first foster dog!
9/12/22 Update: Patsy Cline has been at our home for a little over a week. She is still super shy. More shy than we expected, really.
Anytime there’s a change in her environment (the kids come home from school after a quiet day, the family comes home after a dinner out or someone new visits), she pulls back and becomes quite shy and reclusive. She prefers some distance at first, but eventually, she comes back to us asking for cuddles and love.
This week, she learned how to get on the couch and our bed. We welcome her snuggles and hope she becomes even more comfortable over time.
9/19/22 Update: Patsy Cline spent the weekend resting and relaxing. We are still learning about her and helping her get used to our home. We learned the hard way that she’s a chewer and she likes to bring the things she finds outside. One night I found 10 shoes hidden outside! The good news is that she listens well when you tell her to “drop it.”
Patsy is still very scared around people, especially new people. She has a big bark and will let you know when she wants some space. We’ve tried going on walks, but haven’t made it past the front yard. Patsy eats and sleeps in her crate like a champ. She spends most of every day happily lounging around on the couch or a bed.
9/26/22 Update: Patsy Cline has become known around our house as “the shoe bandit.” She loves to take shoes outside. Thankfully, that’s all she does with them. She also likes to bring toys and water bowls outside, too.
Patsy is still shy around new people and she hates loud noises. She’ll hide in a corner or under a desk when she gets scared. Every once in a while, Patsy will remind us she’s all Bulldog – she’s stubborn when it’s time to go in the crate and she’ll bark at anything or anyone she sees outside in the front yard.
Patsy loves hanging out on the couch and perfectly perches herself so she can still see everything happening around her.
10/3/22 Update: Patsy Cline is such a fun puppy. She’s becoming more relaxed at home, but she’s still timid at times and hates loud noises. Patsy will bark at anyone she sees walking outside and has been known to bark at her own reflection.
When Patsy Cline is comfortable, she shines! She loves dogs and is good with children.
Patsy Cline has a lot of wrinkles to grow into. She wiggles and jiggles everywhere she goes.
We’re working on walking on a leash – Patsy is not a fan.
10/17/22 Update: Patsy Cline is doing well in her foster home. She is a joyful and energetic puppy most of the time. This week, we learned she is terrified of the vacuum (thankfully the broom and mop aren’t as scary).
She has upped her “take and hide” game from only shoes to kitchen towels, PlayStation controllers, and Barbies—nothing is safe—if she can reach it, she’s going to try to haul it outside.
When Patsy sits in one place without moving for too long her hips seem to bother her, so she scoots across the floor instead of walking. We’ve got her on joint supplements and try to limit her jumping on and off the couch.
When Patsy first arrived, she had to be carried to her crate like a princess. She’s slowly learning that it’s much nicer to walk to the crate—she gets treats and she saves her foster mom from getting a backache.
Patsy is still scared of loud noises and new people. She may bark and growl at those, but ultimately she’s a sweetheart.
10/26/22 Update: Patsy Cline continues to do well. This week, we learned she is scared of fire alarms and fly swatters.
When we have visitors over, she prefers the safety of her crate instead of being out and about. It took her four weeks of visits from foster grandpa for her to stop barking/growling at him and is now accepting his pets.
Patsy Cline loves treats, being in a quiet space and belly rubs. She’s very much like a toddler, when it’s been quiet in the house for too long, you know she’s up to something and usually we find that she’s been sneaking stuff outside. Patsy is sweet and gaining trust in people every day.
11/1/22 Update: Patsy Cline surprised us this week. She might be scared of most things, but we learned she is NOT scared of a little rain. In fact, every time she went outside she got the zoomies! Patsy Cline loves the rain!
She is great at using the doggy door and hasn’t had an accident for weeks! Patsy Cline loves to snuggle and give kisses. She’s great with dogs and kids.
11/9/22 Update: Patsy continues to do well in her foster home. She takes fewer shoes and toys outside, but she spends more time playing in muddy puddles in the back yard.
