Bax is doing super, super well. I posted last in desperation as he was becoming progressively more aggressive. Turns out, he's fine! I gave him some space and nothing really happened. He hasn't shown any aggression towards anyone at all lately even under difficult circumstances.
That leads me to the party we had on mothers day. Bax was an angel. I was hesitant to let him out with the small children around (5 and 2) but I did eventually let him mingle. He was perfect, no jumping up, no shyness, no backing away, tail and ears at neutral. Even when the children (despite what i told them not to) hugged him he just stood there wagging his stub and followed them when they let go and wandered off. His door was wide open for him to go chill but he never went in there preferring to mingle with people. (Probably in hopes of a stray chip).
The best thing that happened was when that puppy came over that he was unhappy with before. In the safety of his own home he was a gracious host! She was very very shy preferring to hide behind her owner but Bax had excellent manners and didn't chase or push her out. As she came out of her shell more and started sniffing him back they both handled it really well so i recommended that we take them both outside for a run around our goat corral.
You can't tell very well from the picture but his entire lower half was dyed yellow from dandelion pollen! They had a blast! He'd chase her one way, then she'd turn and chase him back the other way. They'd roll all over in the dandelions and then get back up to go running again. They got along so well! Once they came back inside they were perfectly happy with each other and Zuri, the puppy, was much more relaxed as well. Before she went out her tail was glued so tightly to her butt her spine was curved. After the run she had relaxed easy lope and set off to explore the house without her owner.
Bax wasn't totally peaches and cream after the run. He still seemed a little TOO interested if I pet Zuri while he was around and i respected his insecurity and didn't pet her again.
Bax also celebrated the end of his diet. He started raw food when he was about 14 pounds and he's now down to 10 which is what his vet recommends. we celebrated in the most unhealthy and non raw of ways.
While we were out eating ice cream we wandered around town and got to greet lots of strangers. Bax was a perfect gentleman. He was a bit shy for starters but I let people know that he might be and they didn't push him. Eventually he went up to every person and got some neck scratchies.
We've also been working on going on new surfaces. We enjoyed some rock climbing that he was a bit cautious about but very curious.
And it's our new tradition to have a snuggle session every time i come home from school on our favorite green chair. (As always, camera's are met with the deepest of suspicioun)
He looks great, even if he doesn't like the camera much.
I'm thinking of taking him all the way back to the basics now that summer break is upon me and leave out old dog towels to see if a more rigorous outdoor pottying schedule helps.
He totally loves her now. (Especially now that she doesn't try to hoist him in the air) 