Nico Goes Home

Yesterday was a big day for my family and Nico. We took Nico to his new home. I was nervous, thinking the worst would happen and Nico would retreat within himself and not interact with his new forever mom and Greyhound sister. Our trip started with crating my three dogs and Wyatt barking like he was being jailed and condemned to a life sentence in the crate. We leashed Nico and took him outside and he balked at getting into the Blazer. I didn't blame him, he was thinking the last time he got into a SUV he was brought to me. My husband scooped all 75 pounds of him up and placed him in the back of the Blazer and closed the door.

Nico immediately lay down and occasionally propped his head on the seat to look at all of us. His eyes were calm he looked at me and I could feel his calm. I wanted him not to feel stressed and that required me not to feel stressed and apparently I was doing my job as his leader. Our trip took an hour. We pulled into his new homes driveway and he popped up a little nervous but still calm and ready to start his new life. My husband walked him down the street to stretch his legs and go potty while I went to the door. Meeting his new mom personally for the first time was wonderful. She and I already had a connection as the month before she adopted our first Greyhound foster Peso. What a rush to see Peso all wiggly and wagging her tail when she greeted me at the door, She was happy and actually seemed to recognize my family and me. I knew instantly Nico was going to love Peso and I knew without a doubt he would love his new mom.

Peso and Nico met outside while on leash with plenty of sniffing, peeing and pet me behavior from both. We slowly made our way to the back yard. Peso entered her yard first and then Nico. Nico relaxed even more when his leash was removed and he and Peso set off for their first sprint, then potty time, more sniffing each other a little yard exploration and a few more turns around the yard. Nico was calm and relaxed, approaching his new mom for petting and then going off for more exploration. It was like he knew; I was just his friend and a safe place to rest until he went home. Each time he came back to check in with his new mom his glances at me were shorter. While it was sad for me it was also a wonderful feeling to see him take so quickly to his new surroundings and mom. I do believe Nico is finally home.