When I first met Ricky, my only warning was an offhand, “Watch out, this kid doesn’t have many manners” from Tom. Thinking the worse I was in for was a little mud on my clothes from a jumping pup, I went ahead and opened the door to his run. A few seconds later I was both nipped at multiple times…and peed on!

Well, let me tell you, there is nothing more endearing than a 30 pound heeler so anxious and desperate for affection that he mouths (read: bites) in his strain to make sure you never (never, ever) leave his side again. And with Ricky, it doesn’t matter how fast you think you can move out of the way, his “love bites” always seem to land on that extra bit of skin on the back of your arms or just around your waist.

When Ricky first arrived at FHS, even simple tasks were a strain. Letting him out of his run required a quick Houdini-style act of switching places and safely locking yourself in the run. This would leave him free to run off and terrorize the other person working at that time – normally Tom.

Walking Ricky involved carrying an arsenal of extra tennis balls, in case he dropped the one he was using to occupy his speedy little chompers. A quiet walk would very often erupt with frantic chants of “Get the ball…no, not me. Get the ball, Ricky…the ball…the ball…the ball…ouch!”

Now, I told you that story to tell you this one. Ricky has just successfully completed his first sleepover! After many months of progress (he is up to several walks a week with different volunteers, and a battery of tennis balls is no longer required for the strolls around the shelter) Ricky was able to spend a calm, quiet Wednesday night at my house.

I made sure to give him lots of extra attention and love before loading him into my car for our voyage, on the off chance he might unleash his teeth on me while I was driving down the highway at 55 mph. We made it home without event. No teeth in site, except for a little puppy grin, which he wore most of the night and into the next day.

Together, Ricky and I made happy introductions to my two dogs and one very large cat. We sat on the couch and read the paper. We ate breakfast together, him always laying across my feet.

It was a good day, and something I would have never thought possible of this little guy - even just two months ago.

Take a look at the video of this very calm, happy king of the couch. And don’t forget to check back soon for more adventures with "Auntie Erin":

Ricky is the King of the Couch

Fredonia Humane Society welcomes operational and supply donations through PayPal with the email address fredhumsoc@aol.com, our Amazon Wishlist or via snail mail to PO Box 1238, Fredonia, AZ 86022. Questions and comments are always appreciated to fredhumsoc@aol.com.

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