Dog, 2 months

Two months have passed since we adopted our dog. He has become more confident in the past few weeks: he is more willing to meet strangers, and he's a little more vocal. He no longer hides from a delivery man at the door, nor even from the cable repair man who entered the house. He whines sometimes when he wants something — most often, when we're out on a walk and he sees another dog or a person. He pulls toward his prospective playmate, too. Also, he gets into the car under his own power, although sometimes he needs some encouragement (meaning I go in first).

Mungo had a checkup with an actual vet last week, his third visit to the clinic. For the first time, he didn't pee on the examining table. I think this is partly because I was the one to lift him this time, and partly because the vet was very patient with us and first spent a great deal of time just talking with me, and she began her examination of him while he was still on the floor. I learned a lot, including the advice that at 45 pounds, he has a bit too much padding for his frame. We've been making an effort to stick to just 2.5 cups of kibble a day and to reduce his snacks.

I came home today to find that the blanket had been pulled off the couch and the circular I'd left on the easy chair had been crumpled and a corner torn off. I didn't notice anything else disturbed. I hope Mungo isn't starting to mess with our belongings. I don't have a lot of time to entertain him. On Monday, I didn't even have time for his afternoon walk — normally, we walk twice a day. We start obedience training this Saturday morning, and I have high hopes for it.