[docmartin]

Crystal was 5 months when she came to us, still a baby really. At first she was a mommy's girl, the opposite of your position. I'm home as I'm retired and my wife does voluntary work a few days a week. NKJilly gave me some wonderful advice, "Food is like words to dogs", thereafter I took her little strips of fresh chicken every couple of hours and went into her mums room, (where she stayed on the bed) and sat down stroking and talking to her. It took a week or so and then very suddenly one day she was there by my side. I think their little worlds are disjointed compared to ours and moreover being real terriers they do have moods too, which personally I love and understand, having been brought up with Airedales.

I do hope this isn't boring you too much, but I do know how rejected I felt, until I found this wonderful forum. Just yesterday I was due out for a lunch appointment. I felt really wierd driving (blood sugar down) and had to rest up before aborting and returning home (4th floor Penthouse flat). Just my luck, the lift was being serviced! I had to walk up 66 stairs to our place. I slumped into a big chair in our outer hall after the exertion. Crystal, sensing my condition I suppose, barked and scrabbled at the entrance door, then going to alert my wife, who was on the balcony outside. I was helped to bed, where yours truly never stopped licking my lips for easily 15 minutes. She then apparently sat on my chest guarding me all afternoon for over 4 hours, while I slept. Just three months ago, I would never have believed I'd be writing this.

Gracie is a baby, as others have also said, with a baby's mind, surely missing her mum and siblings too. I'm convinced they do store memories of love, kindness and company. Today we are inseperable when alone and she divides her time between us, when we are all together. Also I think they have to acclimatise to our daily routines? Crystal is fabulous on this now and knows in advance when she and dad are going out together, when she can bully me into a treat etc.

She probably subconsciously sees you as the sheet anchor and your husband coming and going excites her too. They have no recollection of time elapse either, so if you gone for only 15 minutes, you still get the huge hello upon return. Don't worry, give her the security of love and reassurance, she'll return it I'm sure, when she's mature enough to empathise your devotion. One thing, they love their humans!