August 19, 2015! I arrived at the MDSPCA with excited butterflies in my belly. This was the day that I finally adopted MY forever dog! So many questions to go along with this excitement. Will Edgar Allan and Poe get along? Does Edgar Allan even do well with cats? Most, if not all, of my concerns revolved around smoothly introducing Edgar Allan and Poe. 
I wasn’t very concerned with how Poe would handle a new dog coming into our home. After fostering two dogs with two very different personalities, Poe had become quite the dog savvy cat. I probably should elaborate on Poe’s personality. Poe is just a cool dude. He is very social with people and animals alike. Poe had lived with a foster dog named Louisa who ignored him and most recently a large, adolescent American Bulldog named Seth who LOVED to chase him. As much as I loved Seth, it made me sad that Poe spent much of his time under my bed and couldn’t truly fully relax. Regardless, Poe remained sweet as ever and the same old Poe I love. My hopes were for Edgar Allan and Poe to be able to coexist happily and become great brothers.
Having fostered two dogs, I was aware of the “2 Week Shutdown”. This is a process where you slowly allow your new dog/cat to acclimate to their new home, other pets, and people in home. Doing this helps minimize the stress while they adjust. It also helps them to learn that you are the leader and helps to establish your bond with your wonderful new addition. The shutdown includes introducing your new pet with your current pets very slowly. Keeping both pets separate for the first two weeks. I strongly encourage the use of this method when introducing a new pet into your home.
Truth be told, when Edgar Allan and I arrived home. Poe ran right downstairs to welcome Edgar Allan home. He hopped on my coffee table and they both politely said hello. Although I did not follow the “2 Week Shutdown” exactly, I did make sure Poe had safe places in every room. Most of these places were elevated areas where he could jump or places he could hide under if at any point he felt scared or stressed. To help provide him an extra safe place to go, Edgar Allan only had access to the first floor of my house. I left Edgar Allan’s leash on during the first 2 weeks as well. Both Edgar Allan and Poe were very respectful of each others space. It was a very smooth introduction.
Overall, Poe was obsessed with his new little (but Big!) brother. That evening Edgar Allan slept the sweet, peaceful slumber of a happy, adopted rescue pup. Poe watched over him and never left his side. My heart could have burst with happiness as I watched this instant connection. All of my concerns drifted away. Only excited butterflies remained! I could see that these guys were going to be great brothers!
Until next time, paw prints and tail wags from Edgar Allan and Poe :)
