Playing Catch Up
Monday, January 7, 2019 at 6:39PM 
Slowly I am playing catch-up with my dogs. Visitors always get baths during busy times before my own. Instead I do one here and there. Today I did Roxie. My almost 8 year old gal. How did that happen?
She is a true apricot sable. Her coat gets light and goes dark - back and forth throughout her life. Only sables do this. Ms Abigail, her mom is visiting us and she turns 12 this year. Wow!
Cinnamon, Ella and Saffron are getting big. Stay focused - summer off. It will be fun but a lot of work. Just a reality.
Coco, Charlie, Chester and Lexi depart today. I have to say Chloe, Lexi and Charlie the pups got everyone going and oh boy does Charlie like to try to play with Oreo and lately he is playing back. Persistence. Oreo is a senior so this is quite nice!
Everyone plays well with each other. But I was watching Ali with Cinnamon, her mom and oh boy i would have swatted her if I was Cinnamon. She kept jumping in her face and literally grabbing her hair. You wonder why Cinnamon's hair is choppy... and Cinnamon has the patience of Job.
Reader Comments (11)
Love Roxie. I did not realize she was nearly 8.
They get older too fast. My swimming gal!
Roxie looks lovely. You must love having Abigail visiting. Marlee turns 12 this year as well. So hard to believe. I don't like to think about it!
Patt: Abigail was one of my heart dogs who I thought would never leave us but she used to fight with Treasure. It got to where we had to keep them separate. It was stress-filled. We placed Treasure when the right home came around and she gets along with everyone. But the first time we saw her, we took 2 dogs to play with her. One looked just like Abigail and she looked, stiffened and smelt her than relaxed. It was obvious she had such a hate for Abigail as she didnt back down. Everyone else did. Treasure didnt need the stress of attempting to control the dogs and she is VERY happy. One family had Abigail's son and asked for her. We thought hard. She was never supposed to go. My dogs tend to go - terrible but true. They took her home and the rest is history. She is happy. The 1st time she came back here to visit she looked for Treasure and was stressed. That's not the case anymore. She snuggles with me like she used to and perhaps that was Treasures issue too. I loved them both and they competed for my attention. Nathan calls Treasure his dog but when we see her she runs to me each time excited to see me and stays focused on me always. Even Kate, who is her owner says she was your dog. Not a competition but dogs do have their faves and many have multiple faves. Treasure wanted to be an only dog and she is and loves it so. Sometimes you have to love the dogs enough to allow them to have the life they are meant to be. I have never had anyone else fight like they did. Abigail loves me and has finally settled into the reality that Treasure is not here. It was a necessary development for her. I know I can't keep all but I have put my foot down with Roxie and she will remain. She is one of those that loves Nathan as much as me. They share swimming. We share snuggles at night. More than you want to know... So yes it does my heart good to see Abigail but I feel like I let her down. She should never had experienced Treasure and Treasure should have never experienced Abigail. It's the only time everyone did not get along - visitors and our own and I hope it is the last. Even skittish visitors embrace our home and find the fun and I am proud of that. I still carry around the sadness of the Treasure and Abigail relationship. I suppose I always will. it did teach me that sometimes leaving and going to a new home is what should occur despite how my heart aches. When I see them happy, it says - it is right. Does that make sense?
It makes perfect sense to me Darlah. I think you know how Patches is with other Havanese. She loves them all even though she has to be the boss in most cases, I have never seen her fight with another dog, ever, except one day when we went over to Liz's for a playdate. Liz had Abby there of course who is Patches litter mate but she also was looking after her daughter's Havanese, Zoe. As soon as Patches entered Liz's house she went for Zoe. I was quite shocked and intervened immediately. I let them approach each other after we had been there for a little bit and Patches smelled Zoe and went for Zoe yet again. Poor Zoe was quite traumatized so I told Liz I didn't want Zoe and Patches to meet again, it just wasn't worth having Patches upset Zoe so much and vice versa and luckily there was no reason for them to meet again anyway. I then asked Nathan if he saw any of this from Patches when we board her with all the others. He said 'no' but Patches has a dominant personality but the other dogs respect her. Poor Zoe did nothing IMHO to deserve what Patches gave her. There are just some things animals see that we will never understand but must manage and I, for one, think you did a wonderful thing for both Abigail and Treasure.
Needing to be in charge is the issue. It's why a dominant dog never belongs with an equally dominant dog or a very insecure dog. Someone has to say it doesn't matter.
We have an insecure dog we are assessing here today - not our breeding. He's insecure with people and other dogs. The crew has slowly embraced him. Dogs do not like crazy reactions. But we have taught our dogs to be patient. Sniff - don't charge - make overtures. If not receptive back off. Charlie a 12 year old visitor engaged him in play. He is transforming in front of our eyes. Will need a few more visits but its all unfolding.
Unfortunately we have a lot of experience due to the rescues we have taken in - as do you. The classes and Joan Weston has helped me to think dog. LOL
And you are great at it, Darlah!
I truly enjoy it when you share your 'doggie' experience with those that follow your blog. I can not even imagine how heart breaking it would be to let one of your adult females go on to their very own home. I often meant to ask you how Kona interacts with your dogs. I know he seems to likes the gals at your house. Of course Roxie and Ella are very attractive to him. Who can blame him. lol
. When I am with him and there are other dogs especially ones that he does not know he becomes very stiff and barks at them so much so that I do not introduce him because I'm not sure how he will be up close.
Roxie is a true beauty! She is precious!
It surely had to have been so very difficult and upsetting when Abigail and Treasure fought. What a horrible position for you all to have been in. If I'm remembering correctly, Abigail was often the dog who welcomed and made visitors feel comfortable. I remember Treasure for her beautiful red colouring and beautiful eyes, as well as a video once posted at feeding time. Nathan was preparing the bowls and Treasure was almost doing backward somersaults. I watched that video multiple times as I thought she was just such a funny character. I sure don't think you should feel that you let Abigail down. It seems that although it was painful to let both Treasure and Abigail go, you did what was necessary for all. Both Abigail and Treasure are happy and well cared for with the families that they joined, as well as bringing much joy to their families lives. As much as I know you miss them, it's great that you still get to see them. You made difficult decisions and seemingly did right for all. I think you folks do such a great job with all you do!
Thanks...
Abigail was our calming dog. She was actually amazing with insecure dogs. She always was able to do that with all except Treasure. Treasure was a great dog but wanted to control the pack. She wanted to tell the crew not to bark and would get upset if they didn't listen.