Years ago, we had a fierce little spitz and a happy-go-lucky German shepherd. We brought them home on the same day, as puppies, and they never really "fought" per se, cos the spitz ruled the roost from the start and the shep was perfectly happy to let her. But he did enjoy "needling" her occasionally cos she got so riled and rounded on him like a fishwife every time.
When we moved to a three-storeyed house, she was terrified of the stairs and refused to go anyway near them (she never liked heights). Then one day, he just started zipping up and down the steps right in front of her, grinning away the whole time. "See! I'm smarter than you, hah hah hah!"
She put up with the needling for almost an hour, then she couldn't stand it anymore - no way she was gonna let him lord it over her.
She dragged herself over to the top of the stairs and started to head down. I was terrified she'd slip and tumble down, so I went ahead of her to catch her in case she did stumble.
She dug her claws into the first step and then couldn't go any further, but after what must have been an endless, agonizing moment for her, she grit her teeth and finally did it. All the way down, she clung to each step - it took her at least half an hour to get down the two flights, but she made it in the end, somehow.
That was over 30 years ago, but I've never forgotten the sheer cussedness that got her through it. Or the quirky little ways they took care of each other.
Oh yes, she barely weighed in at 6kg, but she'd take on dogs over 10x her size if they dared to broach her territory 😂. Our shep, in contrast, would cheerfully welcome anyone who showed up at the gate and usher them in (umm he actually came from a long line of police guard dogs 🤔).
That first stair photo is fantastic of the two of them! Kiss those babies for me!
Thank you!
Years ago, we had a fierce little spitz and a happy-go-lucky German shepherd. We brought them home on the same day, as puppies, and they never really "fought" per se, cos the spitz ruled the roost from the start and the shep was perfectly happy to let her. But he did enjoy "needling" her occasionally cos she got so riled and rounded on him like a fishwife every time.
When we moved to a three-storeyed house, she was terrified of the stairs and refused to go anyway near them (she never liked heights). Then one day, he just started zipping up and down the steps right in front of her, grinning away the whole time. "See! I'm smarter than you, hah hah hah!"
She put up with the needling for almost an hour, then she couldn't stand it anymore - no way she was gonna let him lord it over her.
She dragged herself over to the top of the stairs and started to head down. I was terrified she'd slip and tumble down, so I went ahead of her to catch her in case she did stumble.
She dug her claws into the first step and then couldn't go any further, but after what must have been an endless, agonizing moment for her, she grit her teeth and finally did it. All the way down, she clung to each step - it took her at least half an hour to get down the two flights, but she made it in the end, somehow.
That was over 30 years ago, but I've never forgotten the sheer cussedness that got her through it. Or the quirky little ways they took care of each other.
Oh yes, she barely weighed in at 6kg, but she'd take on dogs over 10x her size if they dared to broach her territory 😂. Our shep, in contrast, would cheerfully welcome anyone who showed up at the gate and usher them in (umm he actually came from a long line of police guard dogs 🤔).
That’s a fantastic story. Brave little soul.
Lucky Uša! My furkid would have loved her own bay window ☺️
I am impressed with that on-the-stairs scratch. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it before. Boop. 💕🐾 Boop. 💕🐾
It is impressive. Thanks for the boops!
We love this piece!
Thank you for this doggo update
Anything dog and I’m loving it
Doggos furever ❤️
You’re welcome. I’m trying to write more regularly.
Loved this! I try to maintain a 2-dog house and so far the lessons have all been good behavior as dogs have come into our “pack” and passed on.
They really do teach each other and learn what gets them the good stuff!
Got two puppies on the same weekend. (🤦- don't ask what I was thinking.)
The first clue I had that the brown one was smarter than any dog I've ever owned was when she decided to teach the Aussie mix "chase."
She took the squeaky toy, dropped it in front of her. No response.
She picked up the squeaky toy, ran around the dining table, came back, dropped it again. Got in play position.
No response.
She repeated the game five or six times until the light went on for the Aussie.
At which point, they began to chase each other happily through the house.
After 13 years, it's the pattern. The brown dog figures it out. The Aussie copies her.
Except for vermin. If they find mice or other vermin on a walk, the Aussie mix hunts and the brown dog blocks.
What a smarty! Love it. I wonder if the brown dog has a soft spot for vermin.
Not noticeably.
😁
Thank you for the update. It is official now, you are a family 👍💖
Thanks, Anna, it definitely seems like it!