Casserole & Al Dente are strongly bonded, so we want to adopt them out together.
Meet Al Dente and Casserole, a delicious dish just waiting to be eaten right up (figuratively, please) by you. Al Dente is an introvert who needs time to settle in and prefers to live with older children/adults. His eyebrows come with its own zip code and his Yorkshire scruff has the perfect amount of texture. Casserole is an extroverted lovebug who loves to spend quality time with her humans, taking short walks or just relaxing in a nice quiet spot. They are both such rock stars! If you find paparazzi lurking in your bushes waiting to catch a glimpse of them, just give them the shot they want; you don’t want to make enemies with those guys.
Here’s some notes from their foster:
21 June 2024: Observations at 10 days in foster home:
Casserole and Al Dente are just the silliest pair of dogs I have ever fostered! Both have revealed happy, well-behaved dogs with just enough foolishness to induce hours of laughter. They will thrive in a home where big personalities are appreciated, and love and attention are aplenty. They are a fan favorite of everyone at Muttvillle and who comes across their path!
Over the past 10 days, they have settled into my home routine quite well. Al Dente appears reserved at first, but quickly, his facade is exposed-he is so loving and silly himself!
FYI. I am calling them by their former names Buddy (Al Dente) and Twiggy (Casserole) as they seemed to find peace in the familiar. (I have never done this with a foster, but I tried it and noticed a big change in their listening and comfort.)
Both are great eaters. Meal times are monitored as Casserole finishes hers and goes to Al Dente’s bowl, and Al Dente just steps aside. This might be why Miss Casserole is on a weight loss journey. She’s doing great; her weight loss has been slow and steady, just how we want it!
These two are the best of friends. Al Dente is actually the one who induces play time, throwing his cute little body into Casserole, who usually rubs her body, belly up, on a rug, bed, or blanket! He tends to mimic her.
They love their “walkies”! When I reach for their walking gear, they lose their minds! Excitement ensues. We don’t go super far (about 2 city blocks, maybe 1/2 mile for now) but they truly enjoy trotting the streets.
So what’s the deal?
These two are PERFECT and nothing they do is a bother. However, I’ve observed one opportunity for training. Casserole is the leader of the mild separation anxiety train. She wants to go! My guess is their former guardian never left the two alone so they are still getting used to the idea. After some howls and barks, both dogs settle. I believe they will get the hang of it as the duration of barks gets shorter each time I leave, and they are low enough that my neighbors note they have never heard them.
Casserole
Mrs. Personality. She wants your attention! She wants to be adored! But she’ll settle when you say no and take her nonsense elsewhere. She’s fearless and curious, and did I mention silly? She is a friend to all. To give you an idea, I finally let the pair on the bed for some snuggles in the morning. When it was time to get up, I placed Al Dente on the floor and reached for Casserole, who, without any hesitation, leaped straight into the air, Wylie Coyote style. No thought. No fear! I grabbed her before she got too far. She’s up for any and every adventure. You would think her shortie legs and robust waistline would slow her down, but she’s trying her hardest with trots around the block. Casserole has nothing but joy in her body!
Al Dente
You would think Mr. Al Dente would be pale compared to Casserole, but nope, he brings the ying to her yang. He’s quiet and joyful, sharp and sweet. He is also a friend to everyone but sometimes greets other dogs with a few barks and jumps of excitement. He often uses low-rider Casserole as a podium – standing on her back when he is excited. He likes to snuggle or sit nearby and is never demanding of anything. His unique looks (yes, this fella has a lion’s mane) are an instant hit. Out of 50+ foster dogs, he has been, by far, the easiest dog I have ever bathed. Just laid in the sink and patiently waited.
13 June 2024: Observations at 24 hours in foster home:
The best way to describe this duo: Casserole is the extravagant, “you only live once,” wealthy woman living life by the seat of her pants, while Al Dente is the shy, practical accountant in oversized glasses carefully following the whirlwind – “We need to curb your spending ma’am.”
The three adjectives I’d use to describe Casserole are spunky, on-the-go, and “Pet me! Love me! Choose me!”. For Al Dente, I’d say calm, quiet, and observant. They balance each other out perfectly.
Both appear to be potty trained. Both are great eaters with no guarding behaviors. Both walk on a leash fairly well. They are friends to everyone, humans and dogs alike, while Casserole is in your face, and Al Dente is her shy backup. They do great in the car. Both haven’t barked at the door or anything yet.
Despite Casserole’s robust back end and short legs, she gets around really well. I think this will improve as she loses those extra ounces. She can get up and down stairs (and don’t try to help her; she’s got this.) Al Dente is a little stiff after waking up but generally fairly agile. They both can do a slow, around-the-block walk.
Despite needing to be together, they will sleep in different beds next to each other. Casserole doesn’t like it when Al Dente isn’t in the room with her, but Al Dente doesn’t mind a break from Mrs. Personality.
Overall, I think this pair’s ideal environment consists of any person, couple, or family who would love to have a pair of senior mutts that will make them laugh daily. They don’t seem bothered by city life but wouldn’t mind in a quiet place to call home. Whoever takes this couple home has found the perfect pair of sweet and sassy, chill and chaos (Casserole isn’t chaos but makes for a nice play on words).
