Dog Visitors

Amber

Bella's buddy Amber stayed with us for a few days. Bella is very respectful of Amber's age (11 1/2 years) and doesn't badger her, although I know she wants to play with her. Amber looks fabulous: her coat is shiny and thick and gait is steady, but I've noticed that our linoleum floor is hard for her to negotiate. Her back end slipped frequently. It made me sad. Amber has gone through two ACL surgeries and is now on steady chemo meds for mast cell cancer yet seems so young at heart. The slipping makes me realize that she's old. I kept her on the carpet as much as possible and nothing from her in the kitchen the required speed. Next time, I'll have rubber-backed carpet for her.

Amber, as with all good dogs, never complains. You have to scratch your head at dogs' adaptability. Yes, she know our house and us, but her owner comes over and leaves her. (Emphasis from the dog's point of view.) Amber just fit right in to our schedule. She even learned to wait with a biscuit on her paw before chewing. What a good girl!

In a couple of weeks, we'll be taking care of another dog, K2. Bella and K2 will play hard and have a fabulous time. Bella likes the company and doggie interactions.

Who Bella does not like is our neighbor's maltese-cross, Misu. Misu is not very well socialized, but sweet (if ill-behaved). Yet she must have done some bad dog thing to Bella, because she is the only dog Bella cannot tolerate. I was concerned yesterday when I let Bella into the back yard and realized Misu was there. Bella assumed the pose: rigid, standing over Misu. Misu peed all over herself. Luckily I could remove Bellie from the scene without incident and leash Misu (because she doesn't know the word 'come') and return her home.