No, I'm not looking to steal my brother's dog away (yet...)...

But today, something clicked in her head. Something more than "you're a fun lady lets do stuff".

Suddenly, Kairo is looking at me with that "I'm all yours to teach" look. The one that screams for the next command, the gaze that shows a willingness to work. I'm no longer something to figure out, but to trust.

The one that Ember gives me on a regular basis.

As I type, Kairo is literally resting on my feet. Up until now she only wanted something to do with me if I had treats or toys. As of today, she is my shadow, my foot warmer.

And I got her attention off of a dog not 30 feet away.

I can't describe how HUGE that is!

I had to have some rough love today. She woke up completely out of sorts with an 11 out of 10 in the separation anxiety department. I walked Ember out first like I ALWAYS do, and I could hear the Kairo meltdown from the parking lot. This CAN'T happen, as my apartment complex will immediately tell me to get rid of her at the first complaint (they launched a very loose "no husky, guest or otherwise" rule when the complex changed ownership last year, however, I'm seeing all these new people bringing in huskies and husky mixes, so I am "assuming" the rule has been lifted). (yes I'm a rebel)

So I had to put my foot down and bring out the crate. I put it in the back room where she couldn't see anything going on, and I used her staring-over-the-gate as a trigger for crate time.

The first time it took her almost 30 minutes for her to fall silent.

The second, less than 2 minutes. I even waited out her silence a little longer.

She hasn't been back there since. I'm not saying she's cured or anything, but she already seems a hundred times more secure. I walked Ember and Kairo actually moved away from the door to watch us leave. Tomorrow and following she may spend some down time back there for an hour nap. It's just really hard to commit to those with my schedule (but I am trying). And as she is already semi-stressed out, I don't want to push her too hard. I just need her to understand that I will always come back for her - when she's quiet, and then only.

Isn't it awesome the first time you actually see the trust they have in you! My mom often goes with me on the evening walk , she likes the exercise AND it helps me out! and I remember the first time my mom went to put the harness on Mishka...Mishka came running to me and hid behind me, using me as a shield, lol...she does it still...every single time. It's like "noooo, I'm Jimmy's!!!" Hahaha. I have instances with Kohdi too but I'm typing on my lil phone without my glasses, lol. But I loved reading your post