O.K. So the verdict is in and the pooch stays. She’s been at our house for three days and you’d think she was custom made for our family. She’s still very calm and friendly…she has slept with the kids the past two nights and everyone loves her…even I’m beginning to like her. I know, pick your jaws up off the floor. Here’s the scoop…
The lady that bought her as a puppy paid $520.00 for her at a pedigree store. I have the original receipt. She’s a new breed called a Boggle – a beagle/Boston terrier mix…not a mutt. They named her “carolie” – rhymes with holy. What were they thinking?? I told the kids that IF we keep her she needs a new name. Before I could tell them it should sound something like her original name, Zoe wanted to call her Michelle. Ha Ha I don’t know if my college roommate would find that flattering or not. We decided on Girly because it’s close. And, she does have a pink collar and harness, which is girlie. (No I didn’t pick them out- she came with them.)
The kennel we received with her was broken and she has escaped every time we’ve left her home alone. Since we know we’re keeping her, we bought her a much needed new kennel/cage tonight. We had left her in the kid’s bathroom and she did some damage to the door and molding, and the carpet she could reach from under the door while trying to get out. Is that separation anxiety? She’s afraid of the broom – Zoe was just putting it back where it belongs after sweeping up – which is one of the ways we know she’s been hit before. Other than that, she’s just about perfect. She’s not a barky dog, she loves the kids – but seems to love me most of all. Ironic, huh? It’s like she’s saying “Love me, I won’t hurt you, I’m sorry for other scary dogs…”
This morning Petey woke up at 5:30 a.m. and came walking to our bedroom. Max and Girly were asleep on the floor in the T.V. room (the boy doesn’t like beds much) and as Petey passed by she barked at him and scared him. He screamed and Benny jumped up and turned the light on and brought Petey to our bed. Girly jumped up on the bed and licked Petey all over as if to say she was sorry. The first night she was here she growled at me when I went to check on the kids. She was lying at the foot of the bed in their room and it was dark. She saw my silhouette in the doorway and growled. When I turned the light on she looked at me and ducked her head down in submission, then laid back down. She was being protective of three kids she had just met, but also recognized me as the boss! She follows me around waiting for my attention and is currently curled up at my feet under the computer desk as I type this.
Did I mention I’ve had NO allergy problems since she arrived? Petey goes back to Dr. Brian on Thursday afternoon. So far he’s testing o.k. as far as pet dander – but we want to be sure for Girly’s particular breed, so we’re taking him back to double check and if needed, get him desensitized to her. Fun Fun! We took her to Petsmart tonight with us and she did great in the car. I’ve got to say it makes me really angry that she has been abused in the past. If you can look for anything positive in a situation like this it’s that it has made her a very submissive dog for us. Though she is house broken, the previous owners never took the time to train her to do anything like sit, kennel up, or even come when you call her name. My friend Laurie used to train dogs for Petsmart, so she’s going to teach us everything we need to know to train Girly. Then she really will be the perfect dog – though Benny is still hoping for an English Bulldog puppy someday. Laurie breeds them, so his wish will eventually come true…eventually. 😉
Girly may not have been abused. She may have an abnormal fixatioin (a toy, thing, person) or aversion (the broom) because of transitions she has gone through recently, or because she is out of balance. The fact that she tore up the bathroom tells me that. I am going to send you the audio book “Cesar’s Way” by Cesar Milan. I’ll email it to you. I just wanted to comment here so that other dog owners or prospective dog owners could be edified by some information.
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Seems like a perfect fit for your family. We are in the process of looking for a family dog, ours died a few years back and we have not replaced her yet. I am glad you are learning to trust dogs again. Seems like girly is just what you needed and you are just what she needs!
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Congratulations! I am glad things are going so well and Girly is such a good dog. I have two pugs and they have brought so much joy to my lives. I am definitely one of those people God made to love dogs–I just didn’t realize it until I was in my 20’s! If you ever need a dogsitter, my dogs would love it!
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Funny how things like this happen… The world’s most unlikely dog owner is falling for that sweet little pooch. I knew you had it in you somewhere down deep. I can’t wait to meet her!
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Aww.. She’s such a cute dog.
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She’s darling, and how cool that God is using Girly to heal old wounds you’ve carried around for a long time. She does sound like exactly what you all needed.
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I’m with Kingjaymz – read ‘Cesar’s Way’ or watch ‘The Dog Whisperer’ on the Discovery Channel – that guy ROCKS! One thing to watch out for: a dog that appears to be submissive, but nervous, could turn into nervous aggression. Good Luck! (And long live Cesar!!!)
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Niki,
I’m so happy and so surprised adn little jealous! You make me miss my sweetie when you talk about her. I totally agree with the Cesar advice. We didn’t know about Cesar when we trained Moses, but we did use a book by another dog whisperer and a couple of websites on Alpha training, so I agree with kingjaymz’ assessment of the out of balance. She really may not have ever been abused. And it’s a good sign that she’s protective of the kids. But she needs to learn that she’s not responsible for the kids, you are, so she’ll relax. Probably the bathroom destruction was a result of thinking she was responsible for the kids, but unable to get to them to protect them, so taking away that responsiblity will calm her down. I’m so excited for you though! Call when you get a chance to chat. Tomorrow Jonathan works a double, so I’m here alone from 7am til midnight!
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