A Meeting of the Dogs

The meeting of the Big Dog and the XS dog was not auspicious. As soon as he walked into the house XS barked vigorously inviting him to go after her so he did.  Like a cat she leaped on the couch, raced across the back, jumped onto the floor and hid in a corner behind the kitchen table. She shook with fright. The Big Dog went right through out into the backyard where LWD (Little White Dog) was glad to see him. At last another real dog! Meanwhile the little barker shivered pathetically in her corner.   We decided to wait until the next evening to introduce the two dogs. So all day XS sat at the slider like the cat who swallowed the canary and inspected the Big Dog from a position of safety.

The introduction went well. XS barked while we held the Big Dog's collar.  He wagged his tail and looked at her with interest.  She bounded around, back and forth, up and down trying to decide on his threat level. I think she decided to treat him warily and was no longer sure he was going to eat her.  On that score she was mistaken. XS loves to be chased and run laps around the yard at top speed.  Running after small animals is the Big Dog's favorite activity next to pulling possums out of trees. We decided they could be together in the house and outside but outside required supervision. Ultimately, unless XS draws attention to herself by barking, the Big Dog largely ignores her.  However, his eyes light up and his tail curls to attention if she starts to make motions like she wants to play. Unfortunately we can't allow this. It's like a toddler in a lion cage, the toddler doesn't stand a chance even if the lion doesn't mean any harm.

To recap: LWD is safe with both dogs. XS is safe with LWD but not the Big Dog.  The Big Dog is safe with LWD but not XS. They can all sleep together in the family room while we watch TV.  In reality this has meant a merry-go-round of dogs in and out of the house.

Dogs are fickle creatures.  First they want in, then some imaginary noise or scent alerts them to danger and they want out to investigate. All evening long it's up and down and in and out. The LWD likes to be outside at night and when he wants some company or has some evil desire to drive us nuts, he barks a couple of times so the Big Dog will awaken and demand to be let out. Barely five minutes later the Big Dog is pawing at the glass to come in because there was nothing out there. Then we have to find "his" towel and wipe down his jowls and send him to his bed. Of course, just like a baby, whenever XS wakes up from a nap we have to take her out to pee. All of this activity in the evening leaves me irritable, annoyed and tired.

We find ourselves going to bed early just so we can lock up the mutts and have some peace to finish reading a page in a book or to watch the end of a TV show.  The Boy will be back tomorrow afternoon and take The Big Dog home.  Having only 2 dogs will be as easy as pie after this three ring circus we've been running.