Way back before I knew anything about introducing dogs to each other, we had a friend come for a visit and bring her lab. I left Delilah in the house and Sampson and I went outside to greet them. I’ll never forget looking up and seeing Delilah’s face smashed against the glass of the door, gnashing her teeth as she let Phoebe know in no uncertain terms that she was not welcome. Thankfully, despite my utter lack of knowledge regarding dog introductions, Delilah and Phoebe were fast friends. Phoebe followed Delilah all over the house, practically idolizing her, while Sampson turned out to be the snarky one that day.
A few years back our daughter came home for Christmas with her Bulldog puppy, Beau. As they came in late at night we didn’t get the opportunity to walk the dogs to try and acclimate to each other. Instead we introduced them in the yard, before bringing them in the house.
My dogs hated Beau. I’m not sure if it’s because he was a puppy and wasn’t getting their messages, or if it was because he is a Bulldog and they have both been attacked more than once by the Bulldogs across the street. Whatever the reason, it was a tense visit for me because they were constantly growling or snarking at the puppy and it was just easier for me to keep them gated off.
Beau did not understand he had to leave Sampson and Delilah alone.
Our daughter is back home again and naturally she brought Beau with her. He’s not a puppy any longer, but a fully grown Bulldog. He’s quite a sweetie, devoted to her and they go everywhere together.
Last weekend she brought him over to the house. She was stopping to pick up some mail and asked if she could put Beau in the yard. I agreed, and closed the windows and doors and put the air on.
As I stood in the kitchen chatting with her, I glanced up and there was Beau, bounding across my deck, right in front of the window Delilah watches the chipmunks from.
Oh snap I thought, if she sees him she’s going to lose her shit.
I called her over to me, where I could safely shield her behind the sink and keep her from looking out. I petted her, all the while keeping one eye on the door. I watched Beau bounce through the grass, hop down the stairs and walk up to the door.
I kept petting Delilah, talking to my daughter. “Poor puppy, he’s hot” she said, “I’ve got to get going.”
Still we talked. Delilah sitting in front of me getting her ears rubbed.
Beau scratched at the door. Delilah’s ears went up. I tried not to vomit.
Beau barked. I peed a little in my pants. Delilah walked away from me and casually sauntered over to the door, where she stood there looking at Beau, who was looking at her.
Then she walked away.
How can I be expected to write a humorous blog post if Delilah’s not cooperating?
This is the Thursday Barks and Bytes Blog Hop hosted by 2 Brown Dawgs and Heart Like a Dog. Grab the badge and the linky code and join us!
While Barks and Bytes is for everyone, we request only blog posts be linked up and as a courtesy to other hoppers, please add the code to your post or link up to Linda or I.
That’s too funny! They might not hate him as much now that he’s older. Zoe doesn’t like puppies, either!
The last part made me laugh! I was expecting Delilah to freak out! Cody’s a little skeptical of puppies. I’m too sure why some dogs prefer socialise with other grown dogs rather than puppies, I might have to do some googling!
We learned early on that other dogs get to play with us in the yard and then come into the house too, so we always let them in. Mom is happy our lives started this way so we don’t have any issues. No, Mom isn’t super clever or smart, it just happened because in Germany dogs are everywhere, go everywhere and most of our friends had dogs so it just happened and turned out to be a good thing.
Ha! Sometimes you have to sacrifice the funny, surprise ending for the well-behaved good girl.
LOL! Isn’t it annoying when the dogs don’t do their park and provide blog fodder?!
Good girl, Delilah!!! Mom thought she couldn’t write a humorous blog post without you being snarky toward Beau; but she did make me smile. And I’m proud of you — your Mom is too! All Mom’s work is paying off.
They never do what you expect of them do they?
I suppose you just need to be proud of Delilah for keeping her shit together.
I thought this was rather humorous. 🙂 And aren’t you glad Delilah was so chill? 🙂
I laughed! 🙂 They are a mystery aren’t they…. I can’t count the times I have expected things to be fine and they have gone terribly wrong or the times I expected the worst and it was all good. Keeps us humble!
Oh, Jodi, you always manage to be funny even when your dogs don’t cooperate and provide you with the material.
Ahhhh, adorable photo! It’s taken Earl some time to get used to our exuberant young Ethel.
sumskersandearlskers13.blogspot.com
Hi Y’all!
BOL! She is funny! Even when she’s not!
Y’all come on by,
Hawk aka BrownDog
Well, it is kind of funny that just when we think we have our dogs figured out, they throw us a curve ball! Especially when it’s in a good way. 🙂
I do believe Beau is the cutest bulldog I’ve ever seen. And am so glad Delilah didn’t freak out!
Yay for dogs that get along! Hilarious post.
You made me laugh. I’m glad your dogs aren’t all perfect, but they are cute. I find introductions with people or dogs can be tricky with Kilo. Walking parallel a block from the house near the park helps with dogs the few times I can get friends to do that. Trying to desensitize but hard when you don’t understand exactly what is sending them off. Glad Delilah didn’t over react. XS
I dunno, I kind of thought the peed a little comment was funny, even if it wasn’t the D-dog. 🙂
Good girl! What a handsome boy beau is.