Today was a good day for Dennis. If you are new to reading this blog, that is the name of our Lab. Dennis is just 9 months old and is a rescue dog that my hubby fell in love with shortly after our Doberman, Baron, had to be put to sleep. Baron was 9-1/2 years old and very ill.
I'll admit that I was very upset when the Beast got another dog so soon after Baron was put to sleep. I was prepared to not like this dog but he has the sweetest disposition. Unfortunately, he isn't quite out of his chewing stage. But that's a different problem.
We suspected that Dennis was abandoned very early in his life. The woman that was fostering him said he was about 4 weeks old according to the vet. That is really sad because it's such a critical time of life for a pup. The reason I say that is because it is right around that age that they learn how to socialize and play.....usually with siblings at first.
When the Beast took Dennis to the dog park the first time, it was very obvious that he didn't know how to respond to dogs that wanted to play. He played well with our cat, Sassy, but that took time before the two of them got along.
So, today, the Princess brought over her pup, Cooper, to play with Dennis. The two dogs ran around the back yard but it wasn't because they were playing together. Cooper wanted to play but Dennis just stood there like he had no clue. Cooper, thankfully, kept on trying to get Dennis to play until...finally!....Dennis got the idea. It might seem like a dumb thing to worry about but it was monumental to us. Dogs who don't know how to socialize can become unpredictable and possibly dangerous is the only way to describe it. Those kind of dogs are the ones that bite and attack whenever confronted or surprised.
Then, Sheepie showed up with Scooby and the three dogs had a blast together. We were glad and hoped that all three dogs would get tired out with their play fighting and running around the yard. I can tell you that it DID tire out Dennis....LOL. I went to look for him and he was on the bed, sound asleep not too long after the visitors left.
I got to spend a couple hours with Chewlee and Gunner. Gunner was so darn cute. He is such a happy toddler and I am so glad that I get to spend time with him. He knows his Nana and he ran to me for protection when Chewlee was playing with him (and teasing him). She wasn't hurting him. It was all in fun and she kept play scaring him. I have a little chair here from when Chewlee was his age and living with us that he fights with Chewlee over sitting in it. Today, he took possession of it and put it next to me while we watched cartoons on TV. Earlier, he had been sitting in my lap when Chewlee had claimed it.
I hated to see them all leave but they have their own families now and all the responsibilities that go with that. It was getting close to dinner time. At least Dennis was making progress and, hopefully, will know how to play with other dogs at the Dog Park next time.
We had to leave Dennis alone today. Well, not totally alone. The cat was here, too. Since it was just to drop off the Honda CRV to have a trailer hitch put on, we thought we could trust him alone for the short time it would take us. Nope. We came home and I was the first one in the house. He had taken my orchid plant and just destroyed it. There was dirt and moss and plant leaves and stems all over the living room. I had made the mistake of putting it on the coffee table.
I was so angry and upset with him and I DID yell at him as I pointed it out. He hung his head and had his tail between his legs as he slunk away and went into his crate. Later, he came over to me (after the Beast and I cleaned up the mess) and tried to make *nice*. I scratched his head but told him (like he really understood) that he had to stop being a bad puppy and destroying things. I know we will have to watch him. He still has a couple months that he will chew things up if he has the chance. *Sigh* He won't be able to be left alone with the freedom to roam. If the Beast and I have to be gone at the same time, he will have to be put in his crate. It's where he sleeps at night and it's big enough for him to stand up and move around in.
Well, I am closing this novel and going to post it now. I love you all. Stay warm. Drive carefully. Be kind to all. ***Hugs***
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