Hickory is progressing!

[Tink]

Hickory will now come to me out in the open and allow me to pet her for a bit before running off again. She also came over to a stranger yesterday and licked her hand, then did the same with Josh and Greg. She was SO proud of herself after that she just strutted with her head and tail held high.

The most shocking thing she has done was tonight when Canada (Ruler supreme of the pack) tried to chase her out of the food... Hickory actually stood her ground and they got into a bit of a fight and Hickory never did back down! I was just shocked. OMG did she look vicious with her lips curled back, and growling... that's a side of her I hadn't seen before. I seriously wanted to go give her a pat on the back for standing up for herself at last. Up till today she's just let herself be pushed around by all the other dogs. It was hard to stand back and let them work it out, but in the end they hadn't hurt each other and neither of them went right back to the food; so there was no clear victor.

Greg and I both had to laugh at Bella and Chips reaction to the stand-off... they both circled the other 2 barking excitedly and seemed to be saying "No, don't challenge Canada, she'll kick your butt!" When it was over, Bella ran to check on Canada and Chip checked out Hickory... I think they figured there was going to be blood drawn.