Serena part 3

Hey, all!
That sweet-faced girl you see here is becoming a different hound than the one who first graced the pages of this blog! Serena is becoming bolder and more confident everyday - though we think she'll always be somewhat of a cautious dog, especially in new surroundings and situations - and has started doing things of her own accord, rather than just following her foster brother's lead. She is definitely a morning girl! She gets that tail wagging in big circles like a helicopter blade, and runs around the living room and comes up and gives quick doggie kisses before being left out for the morning's bathroom break. This girl is a real sweetheart and has been allowing us to rub her belly and has also been quick to give us appreciative licks and kisses. It's taken 2 and a half weeks to build enough trust for her to let out her "inner dog" and it's been worth every minute. She has also started to come when called, not every time, but a vast improvement over her usual routine of skittering away to her bed. Serena took her first solo walk on the leash last week and did pretty well without the comfort and presence of her foster brother, who usually walks beside of her.
Loud sounds, new people, and new situations still cause her to shy away and head for her comfort zone in the bedroom. You can see her wanting to engage in new experiences, but she's still battling that part of her brain that brings out the caution flag, but even so, she's getting better about it every day.
On a different note, we may have to re-evaluate her cat-safe status: she tangled with our cat this morning and has a 2 inch claw mark on her shoulder to prove it... We were sleeping at the time, so we don't know all the circumstances, but we'll be keeping an eye on that aspect of her behavior.
All-in-all, Serena is doing very well and is going to make a fine companion animal for the right person/persons. We're still recommending that she be placed in a home with another dog, one who has confidence and experience, as she really leans on, and learns from that.