Amber continues to amaze me with her awesome progress! She did really well at the last Petco event. People that saw her when she first arrived in RAGOM three months ago could not believe it was the same dog. She was greeting people and going up to them for pets. I even saw her jump on someone for attention. Truly amazing. Was she still a bit 
scared? Of course, but nothing like she was back in January.
At home, she has become much more “a part of our family”. In other words, she no longer wants to hang out in the bedroom away from everyone else. With gentle coaxing, she will join us in the kitchen or living room. She is eating and drinking in the same room as the other dogs---before, I had to put her food and water in another room so she could eat and drink with no one around. She’s also now at the door when I come home. She is jumping, greeting and being “obnoxious” like my other dogs when they haven’t seem me for a few hours. She is also now crate-trained when I need to leave for longer than 4 hours. I was hoping not to use the crate for her, but she started “discovering” fun things around the house she could chew up---pencils, pens, magazine, shoes. It’s typical behavior for a puppy mill dog to revert to some actual puppy behaviors. She missed out on being a true puppy, so now, at the age of 4, she’s doing all those funs things she missed out on! She does not go running for the crate when I say “kennel up”, but I have to gently guide her that way. Once she’s in, she’s fine. She used to bark and get worked up, but not anymore. I think, as she matures, she will no longer need the crate.
It’s still a joy to watch her run around the back yard and play with the dogs. She loves chasing them, especially when they have a toy in their mouth. She now even tries to take the toys out of their mouths (while running) and usually succeeds! It’s the cutest thing. And, this week, she started actually chasing whatever I throw and if she’s the lucky dog to get it, she’s been bringing it back to. Well, she’s not really dropping it at my feet, but at least she drops it in the vicinity of me! She’s also been running and walking with me 3-5 times a week. She is great on leash! No pulling at all. At first she was very scared when we started our runs and walks, but now I truly believe she’s enjoying the runs/walks.
You can tell, by reading this update, how very proud I am of my precious, little Amber. She has come soo very far. Now, all she needs is her forever home. Do you have another dog and a physical fence? If so, ask your Placement advisor to meet her. I guarantee you will fall in love with her at first sight. She is 41 lbs of adorable love.
Wow, I can’t believe it’s been 3 weeks since we sent in an update! I hope all you Amber-fans weren’t too worried about her J She’s been doing terrific. I’m very proud of our little Amber girl. She has come very far in a short amount of time. She has not had any accidents in the house and goes outside and comes inside when called. She loves running around the backyard with the dogs and now even lets me play with her. She still doesn’t like fast movement, but she probably never will. She has been going on walks and I think she is even enjoying them now! Of course, she’s always watching Winston and if he says it’s okay, then she’s okay. I have been crating her when I’m at work. It seems she began to explore and get in a little trouble when we were gone. She didn’t destroy anything horrible, but just made messes. Her favorite thing to chew and destroy was paper. A magazine, newspaper, checking account register…..She does not like the crate and barks when I put her in. Honestly, I don’t know how long she barks because I leave for work, but she appears to be quiet when I or the kids get home.