Dear Mornings, I love you.

This morning made up for any frustration I felt last night!
First of all, she slept downstairs (which is fine by me - she can sleep where she feels comfy and safe.) Then at 5am I hard "thump thump thump" downstairs. Ooh! She's up walking around!
Now, 5am will be fine once I start school, but during the summer I like to get up at 6am - at least let that sun peek out a little, Gracie! So I laid in bed just listening...happy to hear her up out of her safe bed and exploring downstairs. I also didn't want her to get used to me automatically getting up when SHE feels like it is time to start the day. Trying to think ahead here to what kind of behaviors I want in the future.

At about 5:30 I crept down the stairs to where I could see her - she was playing with her big rawhide bone - on the RUG! Yay! Hanging out off that safe bed!

Once I was able to see some sun rising, I started to go downstairs.

Look who was waiting for me on the middle landing!

Good morning!

TOO cute!
Now, normally, this is an area of stress for her. If I try to approach or get too close (especially in more confined areas like the stairway or hallway) she usually scurries away.
Not today! Today she just stood there so I sat down on the step and offered my hand. She let me sit and PET HER! Wooooo!!!!!! Back of her ears, under chin, sides of back, top of back...what a little rockstar this morning! :)

Mornings seem to be the best time for her - the time she starts to come out a little more socially. I love mornings so much because I see the most progress!

We went downstairs and she followed me right to the door to go out. Awesome! So much easier than what I had to do last night!

Then, she played.
Downright PLAYED again.
Not for very long, but longer than yesterday and longer than the days before that. I love when I see her RELAX and act like the pup that she is!!

Breakfast went even better than yesterday...she WAITED for it in the dining room (which is next to where her bowls are in the kitchen.) I guess she is getting used to the routine of morning playtime/bathroom--->breakfast, which is great. She ate it all in one standing WITH ME doing my thing in the kitchen. Much less skittishness. PROGRESS!

She then followed me upstairs where I am typing now. She showed more progress by coming into the office and letting me pet her while I am on the computer! First time she has let me do that! She also showed even more progress when she let me PASS HER in the hallway to go throw out my banana peel! WOW! I tell ya, morning is her breakthrough time of the day!

I'm retired, I like to lay...a lot. 

I purposely left the muzzle in the picture because we are working on her being muzzle-less around Béla. So far so good!  
PLEASE keep it up Gracie and Béla!
Béla was sitting on the middle landing before - not letting Gracie come up (like I said yesterday...its a sabotage!) She even let out a small hiss...but Gracie just looked, turned around and walked back to her safe bed. No issue. Then Gracie tried coming up again and succeeded when Bela went in her safe room thinking she won the battle. What can I say? Béla is in charge here.

I am Queen. Hear me hiss.

Looking forward to a good day today...my husband is off, so hopefully he can bond with her a bit. He will definitely remember the rule of "setting Gracie up for success" when he sees his SF Giants beer coozie in her bed today. ;) He must have left it on the coffee table.

Here's to a great Sunday....I need to remember that she has only been with us ONE WEEK today...and if I have to pick her up for her last bathroom break tonight, I will think of this morning's pets, love, and progress!