Sounds like Bob knew what he was doing when he found you.
If his owners haven't missed him after 3 months, then you have yourself an addition to your family. He has probably been praying as much as you have that his owners wouldn't show up to claim him. As for the newspaper thing. I read where making a loud noise with a rolled up paper would startle a pup out of barking. I decided to try that on Roxy. I got only as far as rolling it up and she dropped on the floor curled up in a ball and cowered! Now, she has never been hit so I don't know what that is all about. The fly swatter doesn't bother her. But show her anything rolled up and she is on the floor scared to death. But in Bob's case, it sure sounds like he was on the receiving end of the paper and the swater more than once. Poor little guy. Give him lots of love (like you haven't already
) and he will get his trust back and know the only thing he has to fear is being loved to death.
Congrats on your new baby. I'm really happy for you and for Bob.