Two of our former fosters that had been adopted out together were coming back for a visit. So DH, DD and myself went to the adoption event to see them. Dakota had been maybe 9 months old when he was adopted but spent the previous 3 months or so with me. Lola was 2 years old and had been with me for a long time. She was skittish and shy in public, horribly car sick, etc. They were adopted out together.
Her adoptive parents have had them for nearly 3 years now. I didn't expect them to *remember* me, but I expected something. They were both rather reserved when they first got there. I held back with a casual 'put out my hand for a sniff every now and then* But they greeted DH and warmed up quickly to him. To me, Lola had no recognition whatsoever.
Fast forward nearly 3 hours later, I did not spend the whole time hovering around them at all. I was saying goodbye to the adoptive parents. Both dogs were still rather uninterested in me. I said Lola's name again, she looked at me still with that blank look. She looked away. I kept talking to her parents, she looked at me, we made eye contact again and it was almost like I could see a switch go off in her head. She jumped up on me, she licked me, she snuggled into me, the whole bit!!
I loved it!! But what was that about?? This was not her just warming up to someone, there was honest recognition and loving there.
Susan