If Gouda is the doer, Brie is absolutely the brains behind the operation.

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At around 25 pounds, Brie is an incredibly petite little terrier mix, maybe some Rat Terrier, maybe some other mix, and probably a few other ingredients thrown into the recipe. Whatever she is, she is cute as a button, wickedly smart and always paying attention.

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Brie and Gouda came to us after being left behind by the family who had previously used them for breeding. Once they were spayed and neutered, there apparently wasn’t much use for them anymore. While Gouda seems to have shrugged off the past and marched straight into his new life, Brie has approached all of these changes a little more cautiously.

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She analyzes everything. New staircase? Let’s think about that. Something unfamiliar sitting in the way. Better investigate. A strange noise? Hold please. A person asking her to do something new? Brie would first like to know exactly what your motives are and perhaps review the terms and conditions.

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But give her a little reassurance, show her that something is safe, and you can almost watch the wheels turning. Once Brie figures something out, she catches on quickly.

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In just her first couple of weeks in foster care, we’ve already watched her confidence grow tremendously. Initially she was nervous enough that her foster family needed to add wet food just to entice her to eat. Now she has discovered that food is actually pretty fantastic, and that has become an incredibly useful tool for helping her learn.

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She was hesitant about navigating the stairs but is already tackling them with much more confidence. If something unfamiliar or noisy makes her unsure, her foster family simply walks past it first, gives her a little reassurance, and Brie generally decides she can do it too.

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She is also fully integrated with the three resident dogs after careful, gradual introductions. Having other dogs around seems to give Brie an extra boost of confidence, and she has shown that she really benefits from watching other dogs navigate the world around her.

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Her crate manners have been wonderful. She goes in willingly, settles quietly with a frozen treat and keeps her crate clean. When it’s time to come back out, the cautious little thinker temporarily disappears and out comes the wigglebutt.

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Brie has also handled her heartworm treatment like a champ and takes her medications easily with a pill pocket or a little wet food. Exercise restrictions are currently in place for a couple of months after her heartworm injections while the worms are breaking up in her heart. She’s continuing to learn the Gentle Leader and tie-down, and, as with most things, she does especially well when another dog is nearby showing her there’s nothing to worry about.

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With new people, Brie may not immediately throw herself into their arms. She recently met her foster grandparents and was understandably nervous, but she was brave enough to approach and sniff them on her own terms. That’s Brie. She may need a minute to process, but curiosity and intelligence eventually start winning over uncertainty.

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Her ideal family will understand that confidence isn’t built by forcing her through something scary. Brie needs someone patient and consistent who will show her how this new life works, celebrate the little victories and continue helping her discover just how capable she really is. Because once Brie gets something, she gets it.

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She may be the more cautious half of this ridiculously adorable cheese duo, but don’t mistake cautious for incapable. There is a funny, intelligent, affectionate little dog emerging more every day.

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Together, Brie and Gouda are absolute comedians. They are both much smaller in person than their photos suggest, and somehow their personalities still fill the entire room.

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Gouda may charge ahead first.

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Brie is probably behind him figuring out whether it was a good idea. 🧀

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More to come...

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SPECIAL RECOGNITION TO BRIES'S FOSTER FAMILY FOR THEIR TIME AND DONATIONS: 

Allyson & Alfredo​

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