Molly's first day in Columbus

So apparently the white streak on Molly's chest is very normal for a lab, their ancestors from St. John's Newfoundland originally had them and sometimes it still shows up!

"The smaller short-coated St. John's Dog (also known then as the Lesser Newfoundland) was used for retrieval and pulling in nets from the water. These smaller dogs were the forebears of the Labrador Retriever. The white chest, feet, chin, and muzzle - known as tuxedo markings - characteristic of the St. John's Dog often appear in modern Lab mixes, and will occasionally manifest in Labradors as a small white spot on the chest (known as a medallion) or stray white hairs on the feet or muzzle."


Molly has been in Columbus with me for 5 hours now and I can already see major improvements in her adjustment to a new place! this is her first time away from home, and her first time through a city (she saw so many cars!).


First, Josh's parents forced a little child dose benadryl down her throat to settle her down because she gets really anxious...later, she calmly hopped into the back seat of the car.  For most of the drive she just lay down...I think she was very nervous because she wouldn't sniff my hand.  She was probably a little upset with her predicament. She shifted around occassionally and when we got closer to Columbus the traffic got a lot more dense and then she sat up and looked around, head moving back and forth spastically... she was still a little freaked out.  But she did well...she didn't puke! But once I got her out of the car I noticed that she shed Everywhere...her anxiety resulted in a lot of hair lost! But, she was very curious about the new environment and sniffed everything out.  At first she tugged on the leash...but it got better.  She explored my apartment and just followed me everywhere. We went to the mailbox twice where she got to sniff more stuff.  She went to the bathroom a few times, she saw a lot of animals! ducks, other dogs, and she saw people.  She was very well behaved and did not lunge at anything/anybody, walked about 90% of the time with the leash really lose/sagging.  Good job, Molly!


We also took a long walk around the whole complex! towards the end there was a couple walking behind us and Molly would walk and look back all anxious and wanted to walk faster to get away haha...


I also managed to get her to eat lunch! she ate half of her bowl's worth, which for a new environment for her, is really good progress! she got treats, sat, lay down when I ask...


Now she is sleeping peacefully, her breathing is finally slow so I think she is settling in well.


Next step is to introduce her to the roommate when she gets into town. haha.


Good day indeed. Let's hope this continues!