No Questions With Luna

The first or second question we are asked after people learn of Foster the Dog is,
"How do he and Luna get along?"

First, we only allow Harmony at Casa Curtin-Hess. We introduced Luna and Foster in such a way that Foster could feel safe and wouldn't need to react in any way other than interest. Second, you can't shake Luna. Luna is the most reliably loving and calming and accepting being that has ever graced this planet. Even if Foster the Dog had lost his marbles, as was mentioned to me as I walked out of the shelter with him, "Oh yeah, I forgot, he doesn't like big dogs," Luna would have never escalated the marble loss. Luna makes everything better...

True, I would never put Luna in a position to be injured, or to do all the work. The responsibility lies with me to protect her and bring only good into her life. We introduced Foster the Dog to the structure, safety and expectations of our family from the moment he was allowed to jump into the Saturn. We didn't have Luna and Foster meet face to face. We walked with them first and shared calm when kneeling down to the side to offer treats. We had Foster sit with his back to Luna, and while it made him uncomfortable (he wasn't accepting any food), I feel confident it built trust between all of us. Luna could sniff him if she wanted to. Foster was in a passive position while we allowed only positive things to happen. Everyone was calm and no one had to defend him or herself from anything. Luna didn't wag her tail, but she was calm and wanted to walk, and she gave Foster space, so we took her advice: Foster needed a little more time. He was ok, no need to be stressed, but also no need to push anything. There is never a question with Luna's judgment. She always knows. So we kept walking.

Luna could smell the Milkbones in our pockets. We gave her some and Jason offered some to Foster. He stepped back. We all kneeled. I gave Luna a Milkbone from my palm and offered one to Foster from my palm. He took it. Luna was wagging up a storm. I put one in my hand and placed my hand over Jason's. Luna licked up hers. Foster paused and looked around and then took his. We broke some up and put some in my palm and some in Jason's while still touching. Luna slobbered up hers. Foster paused. Foster stepped back. Foster sniffed at Luna's drool. Foster licked up each of his. All of us super close, with food, and no one had an issue. There was trust and Luna had shown the way.



So how are Luna and Foster getting along? Luna is teaching him a few of her Keep-Away moves with toys and she's sharing her internal clock about when it feels time to eat. Luna knows the sounds of visitors arriving, and Foster looks to her cues for when it's time to go downstairs to meet new people.

She's helped him realize the king-sized bed is a great place for a cuddle up at night...


...but the Barkaloungers are also excellent...


We are a Pack. Foster is learning our ways and Luna is the best role model. Thee Best.