Doggie Love

Maddux has always been a little leery of dogs. When she was much smaller it seemed to be a size issue. If the dog was a lap dog, she was fine, but labs and other larger canines frightened her. We have a few neighbors with VERY nice, large dogs that she has become quite used to. But even with them, Maddux will go in and out of friendship with them. And lately she's been very skittish of all animals, even a very small, very friendly cat that has visited our cul-de-sac several times in the last week. Eli has pet the kitty and had no bad reactions, but Maddux has been terrified.

When we started down this road of house renovation, the question came up: where would we stay? (For two months, for crying out loud!) As usual, D stepped up to the plate, but so did a few neighbors. A few neighbors who also have large dogs that Maddux is somewhat familiar with. That made me so happy because I knew it would be a chance for her to see the dogs consistently, and also in a calm state at times, opposed to the usual 'play' setting they usually interact in together.

So we've been at one of the 'new' houses for less than ten hours, playing with the dog on and off for the last 24-hours and Maddux is already great pals with Jessie. LOVE it. She came in two times today and started asking Jessie, "Are you hungry, Jessie? Here's your food, Jessie. You wanna dwink water, Jessie? Isss really good for you!" So cute. And she has been petting her. And hugging her. Maddux always has her eye on Jessie, and doesn't allow any sudden movements to be made without her knowledge, but all in all we are on a good path.