Some folks have been wondering about Bree and why I don’t post as many pictures of her as I used to. She’s fine. There’s been no tragic accident leaving her disfigured.
One caveat: You may as well stop reading right now if you’re not a dyed-in-the-wool dog lover. You not only won’t understand, there might even be questions about my sanity or lack thereof. Wouldn’t be the first time…
The red raccoon and I were good friends once upon a time, especially after Zoe died. Traipsing around the neighborhood every morning together, trips to the dog park, training sessions. All served to form a strong bond between us. I would have sworn she could read my mind.
The one-on-one attention slowly dwindled to a game of ball here and there when Crazy Grace came on board 18 months ago. The little girl’s not exactly high maintenance, but there are some well-documented issues. It wasn’t a conscious decision, but I didn’t want to add to those problems by favoring one dog over the other, so I stopped roaming the hood with the Bree by my side, electing instead to buy a treadmill. No rides in the truck unless the vet was involved. Training became cookie time for both.
But I didn’t realize what I’d done.
I walked away from my friend and she in turn became ‘just a dog’. Which is fine for most people and trust me, I understand that. Everyone is different. Hell, some folks prefer cats over dogs. And that’s fine.
As would happen when ignoring a human friend for any length of time, an intimate bond has slipped away. I’ve already started repairing those ties and it warms my heart to see her respond. But dogs are easy forgivers.
Humans… are a different story. I’m good with dogs… other people are harder to understand. Why some relationships are so easy and others must be steadily attended to simply to maintain them is beyond my ken.
Yes, it’s Sunday and I’m nattering away at nothing. Perhaps I’m gearing up for Hubby’s vacation in a couple of weeks. We’ve [I have] decreed a total news blackout for the entire week. And at least one day the computers will be turned off. At least.
It’s his vacation, but I need the peace.
July 18th, 2010 at 8:50 pm
Just walk away, Brienee…
July 19th, 2010 at 2:59 am
Ah, no matter what you do, Bree will still love you. She may wonder why she doesn’t get the attention she used to but, like those unfortunate women who have trapped themselves in an abusive relationship, she will think it’s HER fault. You can do nothing but love on her until the relationship is again healthy.
Dogs don’t ask much. Too many get less.
July 19th, 2010 at 3:09 am
Ooh, I almost forgot:
Just in case she feels neglected.
July 19th, 2010 at 8:57 am
Very true, Peter. It’s probably all me. The way I feel about our relationship is probably not the way she does, if she does at all.
July 19th, 2010 at 10:38 am
Dogs understand and like many great trainers say, they live in the now. You aren’t doing a disservice to Grace, but Bree was your baby first and should continue to be the ‘lead’.
The two of you need that quiet time together, that was your moment. You will have your special moments with Grace that will be specially hers.
Puppy treats for all puppies!
July 19th, 2010 at 11:18 am
Yes, exactly.
July 19th, 2010 at 12:27 pm
Most great trainers also advocate one on one time with each dog. So by taking Bree for a ride in the truck you are not ignoring Daisy, just giving Bree her “me” time with you and like wise you do something special with just Daisy.
July 19th, 2010 at 1:08 pm
It’s as if I just woke up and thought ‘Duh!’. Know how you get into ruts? It’s like that. I’m about to have some good one-on-one with Bree… a little training, which for her is play.
July 23rd, 2010 at 4:55 am
I love you both!
July 23rd, 2010 at 6:29 am
We love you!