Happy Halloween

Ready

Any direction you throw that ball...

...I am poised and ready to go after it!

 And, I?

I am ready to lie here and chew on this bone.

Maybe we need a bigger dog bed

Saturday Steps

Saturday Steps -- in honor of George the Lad (see link to his blog in my sidebar.)

PEACEFULLY enjoying their bones!

Keep your eye on the ball

I remember my father and various gym teachers trying to teach me to either catch a ball or hit one with a bat by saying "Keep your eye on the ball."

Looks like Darby learned "Keep your eye on the person who might pick up and throw the ball."

 

Snapping my fingers out by the side of my head made the youngster look, but Darby never took her eyes off of me!

Peaceful....but not always

Isn't this a peaceful view?  I managed to remember to bring my camera when I sat down with the girls and my knitting the other evening.  It was every bit as peaceful as it looked. 

But, things weren't that peaceful just before bedtime Thursday evening. 

I had given the girls two small marrow bones to gnaw on while Glenn and I ate dinner.   They retreated to separate sections of the patio and slurped away at the marrow, then gnawed on the bits of meat and gristle on the outsides of the bones.

The trouble started when they brought the bones into the house with them.  Pumpkin's wasn't as clean as Darby's and when Pumpkin left it unattended for a few moments, Darby made off with it.  Pumpkin took exception to her bone being stolen and the first "real" fighting they've done was the result. 

That little slip of a pup, Pumpkin,  didn't back down--and to my view of things, neither did Darby.  Slobber actually flew before I broke things up by clapping my hands loudly. 

I know they have to work things out and one has to be the boss.  But, I'm the classic middle child who doesn't like to witness conflict, wants everyone to get along, and wants to help to resolve interpersonal, or in this case interdogal, problems.  So, it is hard for me to watch them learning to get along with each other. 

I like it better when they are sleeping peacefully next to me on the sofa!

P.S.  Today is Pumpkin's 5 month birthday! 

Assertiveness

Darby is shy.  I've talked about that here before.  She has trouble meeting new dogs.  New people--no problem at all!  But, new dogs, especially puppies, are often hard for her. 

She seemed to recognize that Bonnie was part of her pack because she took to her right away, but Bonnie was often grumpy with her--ESPECIALLY when it came to food.

Darby started out very nervous around Pumpkin but they are getting along wonderfully now.  I have a feeling Pumpkin will end up the "alpha" in their relationship,  but I think it will be a slightly more gentle, calmer relationship than Darby and Bonnie had.

For as well as they get along, Darby does struggle when Pumpkin decides to swoop in and steal a tennis ball before Darby can get to it.  It's hard for me not to interfere by taking the ball and giving it to Darby, but I stay out of it. 

Darby does seem to be asserting herself a little more, though.   Look what I caught on film:

So, Mom.  She took my ball.  Would you get it for me?

Hmmm.  I sure wish I could have that ball.

She isn't even playing with it.  Maybe I could just sneak in there and grab it.

Or maybe not.  I remember what Bonnie did when I tried that. Come on, Self.  Are you a DOG or are you a MOUSE?

Well, I'm a mousy dog!

But, a mousy dog who has the BALL!!  Whoopee!