Little pup is interacting with me more and more. This is good because I was beginning to worry that I’d adopted a real dud. I realize now that he just needs time to come out of his shell.

Now he enjoys a little cuddling and will play with a toy that I’m holding. He wants to chew on my hand but I’m discouraging that.

We are developing a routine. It’s as much for me as it is for him. As soon as I’m awake I take him out for what passes for a little walk. As soon as he’s done his business we go inside where he has breakfast. Then I make coffee. We play a little. He naps.

My grandchildren visited yesterday. He wasn’t ready to play with them yet but he allowed himself to be petted. My son put him down on the ground and he ran behind the rhododendron. It was not a simple project to get him out.