This is Rusty. I can't really call her a pet. On Easter Sunday I saw her frantically running around in one of the fields. I tried to lure her in because I was sure someone had lost a pet -- or even worse, dumped one in the country which happens a lot. I could not get near to her, but she did come up to the house the next day to get some of the food and water I left out. She eventually came up and started hanging out and sleeping on the porch. She would not let us get near her.
Time passed and she would come up to us and sniff our hands and legs. She follows us everywhere. As it got cold, I built a little shelter on the patio to protect her and lined with blankets and fleece. She seemed pretty comfortable. I tried getting her in the house, but she would come in, run around like a mad dog for about 30 seconds and run outside.
About 2 weeks ago, we had a real unusual cold snap and it got down to 19 degrees. Bent thinks I am too much of a softy, but I opened the door that night and she came trotting in and sat on the rug near the fire. I brought her blankets in and she built herself a little nest. She is now Miss House Pet. Hardly wants outside and seems to be house trained. BUT... she still won't let us pet her!! I would like to give her a bath and take her to the vet, but can't get to her to even pet her. The photos are so bad because , when she saw me holding the camera, she starts to run (former witness protection puppy?). Perhaps she was abused.
Anyhow, she is now somewhat ours. If any of you dog folks have idea on how to pet and hold her, I would love to hear from you.
