An update on Alex.
Today OH and I were talking about Alex and how different he is now to when he first came to us. For one thing, OH reminded me about how I was bruised (and sometimes bleeding) all over my arms, legs and hands. Now any Alex related injuries are accidental. He is so much calmer now and rarely stresses any more.
He has a pronounced sense of humour and will act very giddy if it makes us laugh. Today he "found" a cushion with a large tear in the back. Can't think how the tear got there.

He saw me watching him and decided to shove his entire head inside cushion and turn his face towards me. I burst out laughing and had to take the cushion away from him but he was so overjoyed at me laughing he careered around acting the fool for a while.
He is still a little wary around strangers but then why shouldn't he be? He isn't aggressive with them, he just comes around behind me and stays there. I don't push him in this as he seems to come to all things in his own time.
He loves Amber and plays and looks for trouble with her whenever he can. Those two were made for each other. Even Poppy joins in sometimes.
He loves a massage and will often ask for one. He likes it start out quite strenuously and gradually slow down. At the end he is a glazed eyed lump of jelly and will often fall asleep.
He is a bit on the cuddly side at the moment so he is on the dreaded diet. He seems ok with it so far. He isn't food concentric anyway so he is taking it in his stride.
All in all, he is a happy little soul who knows he is loved. He is an absolute gem of a dog!