Tess

Fighting Words

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Tess

She may look like a lady, but she’s got the heart of a street fighter. Yesterday Tess made it real clear nobody can mouth off to her and get away with it.

Our friend Jim came out for a visit. He brought a guest dog named Prince. Since Prince is a young Aussie, Jim thought us house dogs would like to play with him.

Prince belongs to some people who live near Jim. He’s had two other homes and done some shelter time. He’s a good looking red merle about two years old and he gets along real well with people.

Mom carefully introduced us to Prince. We have to come out one at a time to meet a guest dog in the neutral zone. I came out first since I’m lead dog and I can get along with everybody. I barked hi to Prince as I ran by and he gave me the stink eye. Mom didn’t like that one bit.

Jack came out next and said hello real politely. Prince just sniffed his butt and didn’t pay much attention to Jack. Then Tess came out. She had her tail real high but she was pleasant and didn’t do anything mean. All of a sudden Prince got this high and mighty attitude and snarled at Tess.

That’s all it took. Tess growled right back at him and the fight was on. Prince was pretty dumb to pick a fight with Tess. She won’t back down and she’s a good fighter. Plus she’s got lots of thick fur and it’s hard for anyone to get a good grip on her.

Mom broke up the fight right away. She said Prince doesn’t have good manners around other dogs so he couldn’t play with us. The rest of the afternoon Prince stayed in the front yard and played with Jim. Us house dogs stayed in the backyard.

Mom says it’s kinda funny. When Tess gets into a fight I try to put on a nasty face but I just look silly. I’d sure fight to help Tess if I could, but most of the time the fight is over before I know what happened. Mom says she loves that about me. She says I don’t have to be a fighter to be boss dog. She says it’s better to be kind and easy going. I’m gonna talk to Tess. She’s gotta get over her fighting ways. Gotta run!

Jack

A Conundrum

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Jack

How can a dog be bad and good at the same time? Or to ask the question another way, when is it good for a dog to behave badly?

Last week mom asked Jack to come in the house because she was getting ready to go shopping. It was too hot to take us with her, so we were all supposed to stay in the house.

Jack realized that mom was going somewhere. He saw her signal him to come inside. Then he got this really goofy grin on his face and raced to the garage as fast as he could go.

When Tess or I do something like that mom tells us to mind our manners and do what we’re told. But when Jack had a moment of pure disobedience, she was thrilled. She laughed and told Jack how good he was for being bad.

Now I’ve been scolded a time or two, but I’ve never been praised for being bad. So I asked mom how come there were different rules for Jack. Mom said Jack was all messed up in the head when he came to us.  He marked everywhere in the house, tried to muscle me around, and had no manners.

Now Jack wants to be part of our pack and tries real hard to be perfect so he won’t get sent away. But Jack still lacks confidence.  He never leaves mom. He follows her around even when it’s awful hot. He has to know where she is all the time. So when mom asked Jack to come in the house, he finally had enough confidence to argue. He ran to the car and begged to go with. Mom said he never would have done that six months ago.

So I guess Jack’s disobedience means he’s starting to trust his place in the pack. He knows he’s loved and nothing bad will happen to him, even if he talks back. That’s why mom said Jack was good for being bad. Funny, huh?

Codie

A Legacy

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Codie

Codie barked last night. Around 2am I heard the coyotes howling. At first I thought they were after the chickens, but for once I kept still and then I heard her.

Codie slipped into the bedroom and whispered for me to be quiet. It was dark but I couldn’t see her anyway since she no longer wears her fur.

Codie told me she has been watching the changes in our pack and she is pleased. She said Tess is the perfect girlfriend for me and she is glad I have someone to pal around with.

Then Codie asked me to listen carefully and remember her words. Codie said she put it in mom’s head to foster Darcy. She said the dogs who have crossed the rainbow bridge can choose to intervene to help dogs who still wear fur.

Darcy

Codie was afraid that if mom and dad didn’t take a foster dog soon after she passed, they never would. Codie knew they still grieved for her, but Darcy would teach them how quickly they could come to love another dog.

Codie said Darcy was a special soul. You could see the kindness in his eyes. She knew that Darcy didn’t have long to live and he had a purpose to fulfill. So Codie arranged for Darcy to come to Asherpark.

In no time at all everyone who met Darcy fell in love with him. He asked only to be part of our pack, and he was.

All of a sudden Darcy was called to cross the bridge. Everyone was terribly sad. The people wept. But Darcy fulfilled his purpose. He showed us there is always room in our hearts and pack for another rescue dog.

Jack

A week after we lost Darcy we brought Jack home. Codie said that Jack is Darcy’s legacy of love. We wouldn’t have Jack if we hadn’t let Darcy into our lives.

Then Codie was gone. Her silent barking stopped. I so wanted to ask her more about her life without fur, but I am grateful for the time I had with her. Come back soon Codie. We will never forget you. Never.