September 4, 2013
Doesn’t every dog love having a friend that he can play with
all the time? Noooooooo, not every dog. Some are quite anti-social and others
are too jealous to share their home with another canine.
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| Sad Ranger |
I had a consultation about this very subject this week.
Ranger’s mom thought that he would like a buddy and got a foster dog. The first
day, Ranger was playful and happy, but by the second day he was avoiding his
new friend. On the third day, he was lying sadly on the couch and not engaging
with anyone - quite a switch for this happy, bouncy guy.
When I talked to Ranger, he said that the new dog was trying
to take over. He was feeling pushed around and that Bobby, the foster, was
competing for attention. While he likes playing with dogs, Ranger said he
prefers to have his people to himself.
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| Bobby |
Bobby’s person had died recently. He was sad and quite needy
and wanted to be in a home where he could be the center of attention. He likes
playing with dogs, but has a strong need to be in charge.
Every animal that comes to us is not meant to be with us
forever. Sometimes we are just the middle-man to get that dog, cat, horse or
bunny to the right home. If things aren’t working out with a new addition, our
first responsibility is to the original members of the household.
I suggested that they find someone else to foster Bobby and
to hold the vision that the perfect home comes along for him. It was so nice
that these people were willing to take Bobby in, but it was also great that
when they realized that the arrangement wasn’t working well for either dog,
they were willing to make it right.
Good luck Bobby, and welcome back happy bouncy Ranger!
