Hi Again

We're still here. Rob and I have been literally tied up for the past week. Each of us has had a small black and white spotted dog tied to us at almost all times. It makes it hard to type on the computer or do most anything else, but this is important so we're doing it.

Dr B suggested trying pheromone spray as a first step. I have to admit that I have little faith in this stuff. I tried it with Monty years ago when he showed some early signs of aggression and it had absolutely no effect. Dr B said that he wasn't a believer either until a colleague talked him into trying it. He found that it works on about 60% of the dogs he tried it with.  Guess what! Syd seems to be in the 60% group.

We spray it on the collars of each of the girls twice a day. It had an immediate effect on Syd. She calmed down and slept all evening the first time we used it. Mac showed less of a response to the spray but she's not the one with the problem. It's been a week now and the girls can be in the same room together without growling and posturing. We can walk them together but we feed them in separate rooms. I don't feel that we're at a point yet where they can be together off leash but that may happen someday.

We're also working on the training that Dr B told us about. Right now it's simple stuff, coming when called, and sit-stay. Both girls are doing well on that but we're not rushing it. If Syd is going to continue living with us, she needs to be able to handle her stress and feel safe and relaxed around the other dogs. I know this will take time and a lot of work but it's worth the time and effort.

On a happier note, Miss Morgan wants to thank everyone who sent her birthday wishes. She also wants to show off her new line of designer fringed toilet paper. This one was completed this morning.
She says that she can also do paper towels as she showed us yesterday. We went out feeling smug about closing all the bathroom doors, but forgot about the paper towels on the table. Morgan didn't forget.