Our first night

Well, my luck didn't hold out, I could hear 3 of my own pups upstairs demanding to see what the upset was. They were no longer sound asleep, but very curious to know who was down there making all that noise. As quickly as I could, I let Stella and Guido out to join Sadie, and Banjo downstairs. Cody decided it wasn't worth his trouble and went back to bed. Nothing like meet and greets at 3 AM! Arthur was plenty excited, but getting along with the others well. Noelle, wasn't much bothered by any of it. She adjusted well, came right over to me to say "hi" after a cursory look at her new surroundings. It wasn't long before she found a dog bed to claim as her own.

Within a half hour my two legged guest were ready for bed, and I got them settled as best I could while continuing to monitor the new pups. I was especially watching Arthur, who was still rather stressed, and would sound his alarm off with little to no warning, if he found himself alone. I sent the rest of the dogs to bed and let Arthur and Noelle take in their new surroundings without the added excitement of the others. I admit it was late; I was exhausted and was rather anxious for the two dogs to settle so we could go to bed. Noelle was very cooperative in that respect. Aside from another potty break for the both of them, and a quick romp and jump in my foyer she was ready to snooze. Arthur on the other hand was having none of that.

Around 4 AM I finally broke down and gave poor Arthur a doggie anxiety pill, hoping to take the edge off his nerves. Than the three of us went up to my oldest daughter's bedroom on the other side of the house. My hope was since it was a smaller room, Arthur would be able to sniff all there was to sniff, and settle down quickly. Noelle, climbed up on the bed with me and was quickly off to sleep. I layed there in the dark listening to the ticka ticka ticka ticka of Arthur's nails as he paced the floor. My body would tense as he would fall silent, bracing for a hound sound to break the stillness of the night. I'd relax again when the ticka ticka ticka would resume.

Before long I felt myself drifting off, and as I began to fall asleep I heard the creak of my daughter's closet door. The ticka ticka tickas were suddenly further away as I realized Arthur had found more room to explore. Within a few moments I heard a crashing and banging that I was sure would wake the entire house, and my husband would think someone was breaking in. I rushed to the closet and flipped on the light to find Arthur had walked himself into the narrow end of the closet and couldn't figure out how to back out. The only thing he knew and understood was that he certainly couldn't turn around. I calmed him down, and talked him into backing out. Once I got Arthur out of the closet, I braced the door shut and returned to the bed.

Some time must have passed, since there is a portion of the time I don't remember; I must have slept. The next thing I know Arthur is howling to beat the band. Full out and out soulful howls, incredibly loud, and I shot out of bed in an attempt to quiet him. Shhh Arthur, shhh, I begged him. Do you need to go potty I asked? As Arthur paused for breath, gearing up for round two, I hear my husband calling for me. I quickly relax a bit, when I realize it was my husband that woke up Arthur. I rushed downstairs to see him off to work with Arthur baying on my heels. I'm guessing that Noelle was still sleeping upstairs as she never made an appearance. I quickly took Arthur back outside and we returned to bed. The next thing I knew it was 7:30 AM!