Jasper Lily is gaining some confidence

Jasper Lily has been with me about 7 weeks now and while it has not been easy (there are still more days than I want to admit that I wish she was a different dog), she has brought a lot of laughter and smiles back to my little beach apt. I firmly believe, day in and out, that Shelby sent this girl to me to help me heal and smile until Shelby and I are reunited.

Jasper has so much baggage from her previous life and it does make me sad to think all that she must have gone through in her first year and half of life before she came to live with me. As someone who likes people pretty easily but trusting is a much harder thing, I can understand Jasper’s apprehension.

She went for two daycare evaluations last week and passed BOTH. They told me ‘what a sweet little dog’ and I almost wondered if they were indeed talking about the same Jasper. When I met Jasper, she didn’t come right up to me (which was normal – not all dogs are like Shelby in that they go up to everyone and immediately want to be your new best friend). What took me by surprise was how scared Jasper was of other people most of the time. But last week, she walked in with confidence and got up on her hind legs to get closer to the handlers.

When my best friend came over this past weekend, Jasper didn’t growl or run to her crate but rather greeted my BFF and tried to cuddle. Jasper also goes up to some of my neighbors to get pets and hugs.

Today when I dropped Jasper off, she ran right off with the guy, up the stairs, never once looking back. Joy is an understatement! I needed a dog that was independent. I need a dog in my life that is not a ‘stage one clinger’. I always used to say that Shelby would sell me out to the highest bidder and I loved that about her. And Jasper had never met the guy who took her to the play area. But apparently he had heard about the “sweet little dog, Jasper Lily” that was going to come to the Loved Dog daycare.

Watching her grow and come out of her shell is truly amazing. She still has such a long way to go. Her default at night is to run and hide under my bed. In fact, I think she prefers to sleep under there. She will come out if I ask her to and sometimes, prefers to be half under the bed, only her head and those ridiculous ears sticking out. She loves her babies. She has to have her babies with her a night – no matter where she is.  So I make sure to bring some babies into our room.

She loves her chew bones, antlers, pig’s ears, etc. She got a special gift this week, some elk antlers and she loves them! She also chews on her babies, or sucks on their ears but she definitely loves to have things in her mouth.

She loves baby carrots. She takes her baby carrots to the other side of the room and eats them so gingerly.

She puts God knows what in her mouth when we are out walking sometimes. I hope it’s poop – even as gross as that is – at least I don’t know it’s not horribly bad for her. She’s fast and I can’t get always get it out of her mouth. I see ER vet visits in our future for sure.

I truly can’t tell if she likes to ride in the car or not. She still sits on the floor in the front seat and looks at me with her big bug eyes and big ears. But she never complains about getting into the car. She likes to go.

She likes to run. She’s a good little runner too. Her form is amazing … front two paws in-sync with the back two paws. I am hoping to train her to run up to a 5K with me. Shelby ran but not as much nor as far and she always stopped to sniff – everything.

We are still working through our submissive pee issues. We can usually get out the front door when I get home but she’s so excited that I try and get her to courtyard to put on her leash or she tinkles on the stairs, etc. It’s always risky since she is off leash for a bit but she WILL pee in my house as I try and put the leash on her. I am still told she will outgrow all that.

She has found her voice. She has a pretty deep bark, which is deceiving considering her size. She doesn’t bark for the sake of barking (thankfully) but I am simply not used to being around a dog that barks at doorbells, loud sounds outside, neighbors. And she always has to have the last ‘woof’.

She still isn’t Shelby and she never will be. But she knows all about her big sister in heaven. I truly think that Shelby communicates with her. Sometimes in the form of teasing, I can only assume, since there is no rational reason why when we we go outside sometimes, Jasper will look to the sky and get spooked. Thus, I tell people that Jasper is afraid of air.

Jasper has a big outing scheduled for this weekend. We are going to a movie in the park – it’s 100% dog friendly and last time I went, there were tons of dogs watching the movies with their owners. Jasper will meet more of my friends who are so eager to meet her. My hope is that the outside sounds, stimulation, and environment don’t scare the bejeezus out of her. But I think with her thunder shirt, a few of her babies and her ‘madre’ she will be fine.

I still miss and think about my Shelby girl every single day. I probably do have something akin to love for Jasper now. When I see her ‘smile’ (which is rare) or play with that big bushy tail wagging so fast, it warms my heart. All I want is for her to feel safe, secure and cared for. Every dog should have that. While she will probably never forget her first year or so of her life, my hope is that the next 10+ are the best EVER. So with the Spirit of Shelby fur-ever in my heart, I feel better and better about having little Jasper Lily in my life …

All those toys and she wants the wine!

Elk Antlers are the best!!! Thank you Tripawds family!

And this is how an apt should look – like a build a bear factory exploded! Truly, fluff everywhere and nothing makes me happier.

Half under my bed but at least she has her babies!

This is her normal face yet she always has that ‘pissed off’ look about her. Thunder Shirts are cool!