Our Neighborhood Wars

We live in a quiet neighborhood, or we would if it weren't for the animal fights. My daughter/housemate has a 17 lb. female Yorkshire/Shitsu, and I have a 147 lb. male Newfoundland. If you think he's the boss, you are wrong. She can run the pants off him and lord it over him from the top of the sofa. Precious loves to tease Sam, pushing toys under his nose and then grabbing them back before he wakes up enough to go after them. She also has a moral problem. She steals his food--especially the special snacks we plop in their bowls now and then. Don't ask me how she does it, but she manages to swallow hers and swipe his--from three feet away-- before he knows what's happening. That isn't all. She has to be part of every dog action around here, even to "helping" me groom Big Sam. Banning her to the kitchen during these times results in a long, loud, whiny protest.

Then there are the outdoor wars. We have a couple of neighborhood cats who do not know where "home" is. One or the other, Mr. Orange or Ms. Black, makes a daily appearance, either sneaking in from around a huge willow shrub in one corner of the yard or creeping stealthily through the hedgerow on the other side. No matter where these felines come from, our two protectors know instantly when one has set even one paw in our yard and both hightail it to the back patio door, hyperventilating until we let them out so they can protect our turf.

On the other hand, both our dogs welcome other neighborhood canines walking down the road with their owners. Precious and Sam may be prejudiced, but they are not jealous! They like people, too. So if you are in our neighborhood, just wave as you drive or walk by and you'll get two hellos, one deep happy growl, and one yippity-yippity "Hi, there!"

Loving our dogs' life here in Darboy,
Margaret