I feel like Marlin Perkins of Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, except instead of studying animals in the wilds of Africa, I'm observing them in my house.
A full stomach and a good night's sleep made a world of difference. Shimmie woke up as a different dog.
The first thing she did was engage Bear in play. I watched closely for any signs that it was going to turn into a fight, but the tails were wagging and they kept stopping to re-set so it was all good. That seemed to tire her out.
We went to the office, Aki got on my lap and Bear went to his customary spot by the doorway. Shimmie tried to get on my lap as well and Aki growled at her. I just looked him and asked, "really???" She didn't react. Just went over to Bear and sat next to him.
I had to take her to the vet. She has some residual bleeding from being spayed. It turns out she's heavier than I thought...over 30 pounds! I've never seen a dog so happy to go to the vet. She was really excited to see them there. They obviously took good care of her.
Aki and Bear enjoy barking at certain things like squirrels, chipmunks, joggers, the fedex truck, and the ups truck. They give each other a heads up when one is approaching and then race to the windows to bark wildly. This startles Shimmie every time. She jumps up in a doggie karate stance and then looks confused when they attack the window and not her. The UPS truck actually had to make a delivery yesterday, which always sends Bear and Aki into a crazed bark fest. Shimmie joined in, giving one hoarse bark and then just stood at the window to watch. It's like she's trying to learn how to be a dog. or maybe she's just too cool for these shenanigans.
She's much better about letting Bear eat. I keep hearing we shouldn't do it like this, but we've always kept bowls filled with food so they can eat whenever they're hungry. This way they eat several small meals throughout the day, like we're supposed to do and they learn that food is available to them when they need it. Now when Bear eats, Shimmie runs to the kitchen to make sure there's still some left and then she leaves him alone.
They are pretty inseparable now. I found them on the couch, her lying down and him sitting behind her, watching out the window. The big test came when I took them out before I left for work. Bear gets REALLY excited when he sees a leash. He leaps up in the air, about my shoulder height, with his front and back legs about even. He comes down hard. Yesterday, he landed on Shimmie. She didn't even growl. And then he continued to trample her. All she did was try to get out of his way. Even Aki isn't that tolerant.
She was kind of stand-offish with me most of the day. She seemed to really like my husband, but I had to call her to me and then she'd only let me pet her head a couple of times before she moved away. That changed after the bath.
I gave her a bath and I have a feeling it was her first. She didn't protest at all when I picked her up or put her in the tub. She just looked around in that cooperative way she has, like, "hmmmm. nice box you have here." Then I turned the water on and she panicked. She seemed to feel that getting wet was not part of the deal. I gave her treats and encouragement, though, and we got through it quickly. She was having none of the blow dryer, however.
I don't know whether the bath proved something to her or if she was just cold, but afterward she jumped on the couch to cuddle with me. She prefers to be on my right. Bear found his spot on the left. Aki wanted in on the action but didn't want to be too close to her teeth so he ended up on the back of the couch, behind my head.
I really love dogs and Shimmie is easy to love.
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