Yesterday afternoon, we took both Lilly and Ginko along for our ongoing work to see if Lilly’s best friend Katie (the borzoi) might come live here. We’ve reached an interesting point, where I’m less worried about what Ginko might do and more worried about Katie worrying what Ginko might do. Clearly, when I botched their first introduction, Ginko made a distinct impression on Katie. And, it is NOT a good one.
All 3 dogs were very excited to see one another. I brought Lilly into Katie’s backyard first and got them engaged in playing with one another before Tom brought in an unleashed Ginko to play ball. Katie ran around the edges of Lilly and Ginko playing ball, but she didn’t successfully lure either one to really pay attention to her, which is fine in many ways. Ignoring one another isn’t terrible.
A couple of times, though, Ginko did show passing interest in Katie. She not only ran off, but she took to just hanging out in the small part of her L-shaped backyard. I gave her the ball once and she started to run around with it, but she dropped it as soon as Ginko got within about 6 feet of her. So, while Tom played fetch with our 2 monkeys, I stood off to the side with Katie and fed her treats … much like I would with Lilly (who, for those catching up, is afraid of other dogs).
Then, she decided that her doghouse was a good spot out of the action. It felt like a her version of hiding, like Lilly does when she is really scared.
Of course, nosy Ginko had to go stick his head in there to see what she was doing. Howz that for invading her space? We called him off so that she could have her safe zone.
So that we could end on a high note, we leashed all three up and took them for a short walk together. I walked Katie only. Tom had both Lilly and Ginko. During this time, Katie pranced around, poked, spun and did her usual silliness toward Lilly. Very cute. She even snuck up behind Ginko (at our urging) and got in two polite, but extended butt sniffs. He kept walking, looking straight ahead, totally did not care. I gave both of them treats afterward.
Miss Katie had a little lilt in her step after that. I think it made her feel brave, and I hope it also gave her some good info on Ginko since smell is so important.
Tom kept Ginko out, and I tried to get the girls to play again in the backyard before we left, but Lilly was pretty winded and was obsessed with Ginko sitting off to the side. I’m realizing from all this just how bonded Lilly and Ginko are. BUT, I took the opportunity to give Katie some one-on-one time, playing ball, getting hugs, etc.
As we left, Katie hopped around inside her fence and seemed bummed we were leaving. I think she is getting used to use coming by each day.
The crux of it:
Never in a million years would I try to get Lilly to accept a housemate who scared her so bad on first meeting. I would not ask her to learn to feel OK around a dog like that, even though with training, I’m sure I could. I would be concerned if she continued to move away/run off and to “hide” around such a dog, even if he seemed WAY more mellow around her. It’s something I would never ask or expect from Lilly.
So, do I or do I not owe Katie’s much milder (but no more real) sensitivities the same consideration?
Once when Ginko approached, Katie actually sought comfort from her current dad. Her fear of him is, in part, the reason she needs a new home. Perhaps I’m being dramatic, but that seems to say in that moment, she found Ginko scarier. That’s not good … in my mind.
I want Katie to have a good, happy home, and I’d feel terrible asking her to go from one home where she lives with a tiny undercurrent of fear to another one where she might feel uneasy as well.
Another possibility strikes me … perhaps because of my experiences with Lilly’s profound fears, I now see my dog world through fear-colored glasses.
Maybe rather than actual fear, Katie is just using really good conflict prevention skills that we already know she has.
0 comments