An Update on The Alligator, aka Gatorzilla, Monsterdog, G-Rex.

I know that he doesn’t have bloomers or climb up sheds, and is a member of the Tripawd nation only through his membership in the Big Yellow Rescued Dog Club, but figured it was a time to update on Mr. Gator.  We spent almost three weeks together over the holidays, which I think really helped him feel more settled.  Once, I called him “Ally Gator” just for fun, and he loved it.   You can tell that someone, somewhere has called him that before and it has a positive connotation for him.   And about a month ago, I started finding yellow fur on one of Otis’ Big Barker beds.   It has now become his daytime hangout.   Makes me think he is starting to feel permanent, and not a guest waiting for the other dogs to come back and kick him out.

 

Gator takes possession of ‘his’ bed.

And of course, the gator toy still comes to bed for play every night.

Gator and the gator toy (OK, this is version #2 of the gator toy – version #1 lost an arm and looks pretty beaten up).

We had a true heart bonding moment about two weeks ago.  It was an unusually foggy and warm (40 degrees in Chicago in January!) and at 2:00 a.m., I woke up and couldn’t get back to sleep.  Walked downstairs and let Gator out, then did my own ‘business.’   When I go to let him in, I can’t find him in the yard.   Anywhere.  I put my shoes and coat on and go out front, at this point wondering if I am going to find him at House 5.  I think I see him at the hospital (which is right after House 5), but by the time I get there, I can’t find him anywhere.  At this point, I am not sure where to look – the hospital lot is huge, and there are coyotes and critters all over.   Or, did he go on his normal walking route?   Or did he decide to explore and go another direction entirely?   And do we have enough of a bond that he will even come if I call him?  Thinking all these thoughts, but for some reason, not feeling the anxiety that I should have been feeling in this situation.   I decided to try his walk route.   Got all the way to the park and didn’t see him (remember, very foggy), and think I should go back to the hospital as the last place I did see him.  As I am walking back, I hear jingles.   (Remember how much he loves his jingles!)  I called him, and he peeks out from behind a bush in a neighbor’s yard and COMES RIGHT TO ME when I call!  By the way, the two tags jingling together are his Village license and his Tripawds protection charm.  Not sure why, but there was something very special about that night.  A fence guy comes tomorrow to give me an estimate to build a new fence that cannot be jumped quite so easily.

It is also becoming obvious that Gator does not like being alone – he is a bit timid in that way.   I am not sure that he would be happy without the cats – he clearly views them as pack mates and not critters.   And high winds terrify him more than fireworks.  Spent one very long night with a scared dog in my bed during a wind storm.

The calico sisters approve of their new brother.

I took him back to daycare yesterday for the first time after the holidays – when I picked him up, he came straight to me and then pulled me straight to the door.   When we got in the car, he leaned up and sniffed my hair furiously for a minute or two, then sat back and relaxed in the back seat.  A big step forward, considering he didn’t seem to recognize me the first time he went.

Author: otisandtess

Otis, an 8 year old 106 lb. lab/Dane mix, became a Tripawd on February 9, 2016 after his right front leg broke due to osteosarcoma. We did 4 rounds of carboplatin, but lung mets were discovered on Agust 25, and he passed on September 4. Otis was half of a bonded pair, and his adopted sister Tess, passed suddenly of hemangiosarcoma on October 9. The day before Tess passed, a local lab rescue group had identfied Gator, a 120 pound 6 year old yellow in need of a home, as a potential companion for her. His picture was on my phone, and my house needed a dog. . .

7 thoughts on “An Update on The Alligator, aka Gatorzilla, Monsterdog, G-Rex.”

  1. That is so awesome! What a wonderful story. That Tripawds protection charm sure came in handy!

    Xoxo
    Julie

  2. Thanks so much for the update. I love reading them. I’m so glad Gator is doing well. The leaning in and sniffing the hair is a definite “love sign” in my book. Good for you and good for Gator. So sweet.
    w

  3. Great story! Nitro also loves to smell hair….he doesn’t give kisses, but does give hugs – and always smells my hair. Gator is home, and he KNOWS IT! So happy for you!

    Paula and Nitro

  4. I am so glad that Gator is feeling at home. He knows your voice and knows that you are his. You might find him in your bed more often with windstorms. I love he feels comfortable on the beds now.

    Gator so glad you are feeling more comfortable

    xoxoxo
    Michelle & Angel Sassy

  5. Love hearing about Mr. Gator. The Ally Gator thing is interesting. How sweet that you just hit on it, and he was so pleased and happy. Do you think he maybe lived with children before? Does he seem drawn to small children when he sees them out and about? Just wondering.
    I reckon he’d gone off of a little night time Critter patrol. He’d heard talk there were critters hanging out in the hospital, most probably taking sanctuary after he’d chased them out of your garden. Love the image of The Gator peeping out a neighbour’s bush and scaredy Gator too snuggled up to you in your bed while the wind howls outside. He knows he’s home.

    Meg, Clare and Elsie Pie xxx

    1. There was definitely a critter involved in his great escape. I was a bit afraid that I would find something dead in the side yard the next day, but fortunately whatever it was must have escaped. Or the big dummy was trying to play with a coyote. Fortunately, if it was just one, he is big enough he would probably be left alone.

  6. Oh Handome Magnificent Gator!!!! You are such a good/naughty boy! No stupid fence is gonna keep you in! Naughty for scaring your Mom, but goooood boy for coming ro her

    And yes, the jingling of his tags was a good reminder that Otis and Tess are helping you watch over that sweet boy!

    I love all the ways he’s letting you know that, he knows, that he is in his furever loving home and will NEVER be given away again! Leaving some of his fur on Otis’s Big Barker Bed? Yeah, he k ows he’s home!

    And his kitty sisters are adorable!! But nothing like hugging and snuggling a big dog!!! A big Ally- Gator dog!!

    Love

    Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!

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