Sky dog… whose name change of “missy” did not take (we decided she does know her name, but like the whippet, has selective hearing - or rather, selectively comes when she feels like it)… has blended into our family nicely… a few bumps along the way, but overall, it’s been a piece of cake.
Sky is a protective dog and has claimed us, and the house, as “hers”. Not only is she protective, she’s also possessive, namely, it seems, of me… when Bean comes close, Sky hops up (quickly!) and slides right under my feet or chair (tag - I’ve been claimed). The first few times, this came along with a low growl… a few times of telling her that wasn’t OK and it seems to have done the trick, as I haven’t heard any growling towards Bean at all. Of course, it probably helped the other day when Bean snapped at her as if to say “look, I didn’t ask for you to get in my face, step back”… Sky listened.
Whippet Bean and Maggie Cat have taken Sky in stride… a little timid at first, tolerant of Sky’s possessiveness… and a little hissing and spitting from the Cat… all is good. While each party wouldn’t yet claim the other as a ‘friend’, I’d say we’re on our way.
As an aside, take a gander at Dog-So-Smart for dog breed information, adoption, rescue, and just being dog owners in general.
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