When I mill about the living room and dining room, Louise respects the baby gate and stays in her kitchen den. A knock on the front door, however, sends her flying over that gate like a gazelle leaping through the savannah. Her athleticism is impressive, but it means I have to be on my toes when managing the Tommy and Louise dynamic.
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| Louise rests after a flying leap into the living room. |
Last month when I stepped into the living room from the bedroom, Tommy and Louise stood at high alert. I gasped at the sight of them causing their heightened energy to erupt into a fight.
But that’s old news.
When Louise flew over the gate last week, I calmly walked toward the back door, calling Tommy to put him in the yard. But when I opened the door it was Louise at my heels.
Tommy? He’d run and hid under the dining room table.
I call that progress.
Ah, where's the ULTIMATE LIKE button? Both your guys charm me to the core.
ReplyDeleteI'd love one of those buttons too, KB!
ReplyDeleteI still smile over the baby gate. And I'm all for judicious hiding when the occasion calls for it.
You guys are the ULTIMATE Tommy & Louise fans. That fills my heart with gratitude.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious, what does your trainer say about their rivalry?
ReplyDeleteI know about mad leaping, Friday afternoon Ranger jumped off the front porch and landed 10 feet out when greeting his dad who had been out of town for a few days. Not bad for a dog about 12 years old. I'm certain Louise will also be a gazelle well into her old age. I find it thrilling to see animals demonstrating their natural athletic skills.
Also, I love the photo of Louise with the kids at the library.
Hi Sue:
ReplyDeleteThese kids/pits will make your head spin!
What have you discovered about yourself managing the life of a pit? They are the lessons of all lessons right? Damn you are good. Little Sue taking care of these lively creatures - would not have it any other way.
Love you Sue. This is the best story out there. Keep it coming and god bless Louise and Tommy and your kitty cats. God bless you too!
Love,
Kristen
Yea!! I second the Ultimate Like Button!! A pecking order is being established! Usually the woman ends up on top. I think that is why its worked for Daisy, small male dogs. Plus One was here before she was.
ReplyDeleteYes that is progress!
ReplyDeleteKari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com
This may be the start of a peaceful cohabitation. If Louise is so athletic, perhaps she'd jumped over her yard fence the day you found her.
ReplyDeleteShe was very good with Abby and a thousand other dogs at the Wiggle Waggle Walk yesterday.
well she looks mighty relaxed there. Any bites at the wiggle walk? Not literally....
ReplyDeletePaula, the rivalry is a bad combo: Tommy's territorial and Louise reactive.
ReplyDeleteThat Ranger image reminds me of Tommy flying off a friend's deck in pursuit of a ball. Hilarious and impressive. Good for Ranger staying fit into his golden years.
Kristen, what have I discovered about myself through managing pit bulls in my life? If I answer that I will be giving away the ending to the book. Oops. Forget I said that. It suggests I'm writing one; I'm not.
daisydog, I didn't want to admit it at first, but I think Louise is top dog.
Kari, baby steps, right?
Bellis, I was pleasantly surprised with how well Louise did at Wiggle Waggle. Thanks so much for suggesting it.
PA, no bites, literal or otherwise. The campaign soldiers on.
Hi Susan:
ReplyDeleteYou better be writing a book rock star!
I can't wait to read it beautiful Susan.
Love,
Kristen
How can Tommy not love that face???
ReplyDeleteOh, and I do applaud your keeping calm. Maybe Louise and Porkchop have discussed the matter while you've been away and drawn up a treaty. In the boxer world, the females are dominant. Might be the same in Pitland.
ReplyDeletePlease do write the book. You already have several chapters completed.
ReplyDeleteKristen and Petrea, I've started writing a book in my head anyway, but I suppose the blog does cover a few written chapters.
ReplyDeleteChieftess, Tommy may be secretly in love with Louise. It could be a romantic comedy in the making.
Hiker, Tommy was just getting used to being called Sausage. I'm not sure how he'll feel about Porkchop but I like it. Porkchop in Pitland - another chapter for the book.
I heard Louis was the best behaved being at a certain poetry reading.
ReplyDeleteLouise - the alpha girl! Tommy - playing it cool. Maybe there will be a happy ending like Shrek and Princess Fiona!?!
ReplyDeleteAh the symphony of doggie dynamics...I'm in your cheering section!
ReplyDeletePA, it's true. Check out my latest post for the full story on that poetry reading.
ReplyDeleteLiz, maybe so. The end of this story has yet to be written.
ForPetsSake, thank you!
Nanny dogs! NANNY DOGS!
ReplyDeleteYes, Susan, I agree with you: it's a great progress!
ReplyDeleteHooray!
ReplyDeleteDude, I missed this. How awesome! It sounds like Louise has overthrown Tommy, and a pecking order is starting to establish itself. Who knows, with a little more time you may have a friendship on your hands.
ReplyDeleteAre you doing lots of positive reinforcement when they are near each other? Try doing side by side obedience across the baby gate -- everybody getting super yummy treats for doing easy things like "sit" and "down" in each other's presence.