Oskar has been with us for 10 weeks at the time of this post and he is still blossoming and developing. I like to explain to adopters of rescue dogs that they need to expect that their new companion will be changing and developing who they are for months, and most likely years, after they bring the dog home. Because we don't usually know what a dog has been exposed to, or not exposed to, in his previous life before rescue there is a good chance that even after having a dog for a year or more he will still continue to unfold and settle in to who he really is. Oskar did not show a lot of interest in playing with toys in the first couple of months we have had him. He liked to play with other dogs, and tried his paw at fetching a ball when another dog would be playing fetch with us. But he did not pick up tugs or other toys and mouth them and throw them and "kill" them like many ratties do. The other morning I caught him experimenting with playing with a soft squeakie toy and he even shook it a couple of times. It was so cute. Since then he has initiated tug with two of my dogs and he and I have played tug too! Here is Oskar experimenting with a soft toy. (Jenny seemed to want to be on camera too ;)
And outside in the yard Oskar was playing with another toy. He was prancing around and it was the cutest thing!
So just remember if your adopted rattie doesn't play right away, or seems uninterested in toys, just be patient and give it some time, there is a lot going on when transitioning into a new forever home. Just like with humans getting a new job, or moving to a new place, it takes time to figure out who we are and how we fit in. We have to get our bearings, as do adopted rescue dogs. I am always amazed at how a dog unfolds. My personal dogs, who I have had for 3 and 4 years, are still changing and blossoming! It really is a beautiful thing.
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