Praise and Blessing were a hit from the start.  Blessing was not the least bit afraid of Praise and Praise loved licking her little face.  But Ingrid, Deborah, and Samuel were a different story.  They stood wide eyed a safe distance from the furthest end of Praise's chain and tried not to tremble visibly.  Francis, who spent the last week and a half visiting Praise each day after work, had mostly gotten beyond his fear.  Mostly.  He had  to put on a brave face for his family.  He admonished his wife that she was next in line after him.  She had to be the mother of the dog and she had to take charge when people visited.  She had to learn to take hold of her collar and not let her lunge at people.  So she is trying.  And he insisted that Sammy and Deborah had to pet Praise.  It was hard, but with effort, they managed a pat or two.  Bit by bit their new dog will work her way into their lives.  It's a good thing that Blessing is too little to know to be afraid of the big scary dog.  She will teach her siblings that she is OK and Praise will slowly fit into the family.  It's a process.