Do I get a second dog?
Here's who I'm meeting tomorrow.
It's just ... y'all, I have at least two friends who have rescued dogs and one has attacked the other. One friend, her two dogs cannot be in the same room. What kind of life is that? The other, the attack of one greyhound pushed the other one to death (not directly killing, but indirectly).
I don't want that in my life or Ziggy's. And while Selma and Otter had the best relationship possible, that's not always what happens. I got Selma when she was six weeks old and she was molded by three bossy women and a cat who ruled the roost. Then when she was six months old the Airedale came and charmed us all with her goofy ways. I didn't know to be nervous, and I never had to be - seconds after meeting Otter, Selma had ripped up her glued-down ears and mauled her and came running to me with the most glee - "THANKS MOM, FOR THE NEW LIVE TOY!" They were so good together, always. Never anything but the best behaved dogs getting alone perfectly, always. Other dogs would come visit and they would say, "Welcome! Would you like some food?" and lead them to the food bowl and watch the other dog eat while wagging their tales and graciously then leading the dog to the yard, the toys, whatever else s/he would like.
Seriously, those dogs were such gems. Amazing.
And Ziggy is an extraordinary dog, but she has issues.
But then I have to give her credit to balance that out. We were just outside and the Yorkie on the other side barks hysterically. Ziggy checks in with him and they run and she says hello and all that, but she barks 1/100 of what he barks. And she's just running for fun, and I can distract her with other things, and when she's done with him and his crazy ways, she walks away. And this morning (or yesterday?) there were TWO dogs up ahead of us across the street, and we just kept walking, turning to stay across the street from them, and it's like they weren't even there. Ziggy still stiffens up and gets nervous around the house where the huge Rottweiler sits outside or other houses where dogs bark aggressively at her, but she really has made progress. And I feel like the next level of progress is getting another dog to be her compadre. I just don't have enough dog connections here to give her a social life. My friends with dogs live far away or other issues, and I dont' take her to the dog park because of owners being stupid. And because she likes to pick on grouchy people and dogs, annoying them further.
I own it. My dog is a jackass. But she's not mean, and I don't want her to be.
Part of me thinks I should wait longer, go to the vet, all that. But the other part of me knows the clock is ticking. When Catahoulas turn two, their personalities change. Her exuberant enthusiasm may change. I want to give her positive experiences before then. I want to keep up the positive momentum, and I want her to have a full, happy life. Because she's not easy-going, I can't do the things I thought I could with her, like doggy day care and dog parks. So I need to figure out her pack needs another way.
Well, I guess I'll go meet the other dog tomorrow. He's smaller than Ziggy by about ten pounds, a lab/jack russell mix. Yes, I know that JRT are all stuff and nonsense, just like Ziggy. I'm hoping the lab pulls through strong, with the calm and good nature, but the jack russell intelligence and energy to keep up with Ziggy. why on earth would I want to own two of the most difficult breeds? Because I like free thinking dogs.
So, we'll see. First I meet him. Then we plan a neutral meeting. Then my house, hopefully with help. We'll see how it goes.
Here's who I'm meeting tomorrow.
It's just ... y'all, I have at least two friends who have rescued dogs and one has attacked the other. One friend, her two dogs cannot be in the same room. What kind of life is that? The other, the attack of one greyhound pushed the other one to death (not directly killing, but indirectly).
I don't want that in my life or Ziggy's. And while Selma and Otter had the best relationship possible, that's not always what happens. I got Selma when she was six weeks old and she was molded by three bossy women and a cat who ruled the roost. Then when she was six months old the Airedale came and charmed us all with her goofy ways. I didn't know to be nervous, and I never had to be - seconds after meeting Otter, Selma had ripped up her glued-down ears and mauled her and came running to me with the most glee - "THANKS MOM, FOR THE NEW LIVE TOY!" They were so good together, always. Never anything but the best behaved dogs getting alone perfectly, always. Other dogs would come visit and they would say, "Welcome! Would you like some food?" and lead them to the food bowl and watch the other dog eat while wagging their tales and graciously then leading the dog to the yard, the toys, whatever else s/he would like.
Seriously, those dogs were such gems. Amazing.
And Ziggy is an extraordinary dog, but she has issues.
But then I have to give her credit to balance that out. We were just outside and the Yorkie on the other side barks hysterically. Ziggy checks in with him and they run and she says hello and all that, but she barks 1/100 of what he barks. And she's just running for fun, and I can distract her with other things, and when she's done with him and his crazy ways, she walks away. And this morning (or yesterday?) there were TWO dogs up ahead of us across the street, and we just kept walking, turning to stay across the street from them, and it's like they weren't even there. Ziggy still stiffens up and gets nervous around the house where the huge Rottweiler sits outside or other houses where dogs bark aggressively at her, but she really has made progress. And I feel like the next level of progress is getting another dog to be her compadre. I just don't have enough dog connections here to give her a social life. My friends with dogs live far away or other issues, and I dont' take her to the dog park because of owners being stupid. And because she likes to pick on grouchy people and dogs, annoying them further.
I own it. My dog is a jackass. But she's not mean, and I don't want her to be.
Part of me thinks I should wait longer, go to the vet, all that. But the other part of me knows the clock is ticking. When Catahoulas turn two, their personalities change. Her exuberant enthusiasm may change. I want to give her positive experiences before then. I want to keep up the positive momentum, and I want her to have a full, happy life. Because she's not easy-going, I can't do the things I thought I could with her, like doggy day care and dog parks. So I need to figure out her pack needs another way.
Well, I guess I'll go meet the other dog tomorrow. He's smaller than Ziggy by about ten pounds, a lab/jack russell mix. Yes, I know that JRT are all stuff and nonsense, just like Ziggy. I'm hoping the lab pulls through strong, with the calm and good nature, but the jack russell intelligence and energy to keep up with Ziggy. why on earth would I want to own two of the most difficult breeds? Because I like free thinking dogs.
So, we'll see. First I meet him. Then we plan a neutral meeting. Then my house, hopefully with help. We'll see how it goes.
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