Well we have had Nell just over a week.... a very stressful week for her, and an odd one for me.

Of all the weeks to settle a nervous dog who's never had human contact, or at least not much as far as I know. I told the shelter it wasn't a good week but... hey ho....

Nell has been clean, only one accident, and that might have been cos I had my high vis trousers on... so I will excuse that.

She has been to two of my friends houses, and been what appears to be quite responsive to them, wandering around, sniffing and in one house just lay down and went to sleep with my friend stroking her... somebody said dogs were two faced!

At our house Nell is still withdrawn to her basket, it is her safe place.... She has gradually come closer and closer to me to put her lead on, but I still have to go to her, she's never quite close enough.

Today we had a good point, she ventured upstairs, and then panicked... She had a little wander and then after eating the sausage I tossed at her feet, she ran back to her safe zone! Our kitchen and my office where I work is up stairs, and the room she is in is not our lounge, she won't go into the lounge unless on the lead - and then once off the lead she's back to her safe spot... So not forcing the issue, but today was progress she came up stairs.

She still won't come to me, or explore her surroundings (and yet she did at my friends house - any explanations).... I am not pushing her, just leaving her alone, although I sit with her to have my tea (her in her basket, and me in mine lol), the only time I am really hands on with her is to put on her lead and take her out... she is very happy to be led on the lead... will go anywhere.

She is still always looking at me, glancing at me on our walks, all the time. The minute we stop she goes behind me and sits right on the back of my leg.

I know it's early days, still.... But I do feel a little disheartened that she seemed so sociable at my friend's house - or did I misread the situation and she was more stressed hence the wandering around looking for safe place perhaps, but then she relaxed and went to sleep in my friends lounge? I don't know.

Will keep you posted - C x