I have to admit, my communication skills went dead. I held up Maxwell's leash in my boyfriend's face, wanting him to take it from me. (He later asked why I didn't just tell him there was a loose dog.) My eyes never left the strange dog. I found myself making a quick assessment of the situation that went something like this:
- Strange dog has friendly posture
- Strange dog is wearing harness
- My dogs are interested but not aroused
- Strange dog is approaching, but with lowered body
- Strange dog is friendly
- My dogs are accepting his approach well
The strange pup's name is Toby. He's an overweight, 8-month-old puppy who just wanted to make friends. I managed to step between him and my dogs before contact, and he dropped to the pavement and wriggled the last few inches to Maxwell and Sadie before going belly-up. He didn't mind in the slightest when I grabbed his harness, though the treat shoved in his face certainly didn't hurt. He was a writhing body of happy as he finished greeting his new bestest friends ever, and returned home reluctantly.
His owner met me at her door, very relieved to see him back in one piece. Though the episode probably lasted less than a minute, I can understand the fear that accompanies a missing pet. The child said hello to her puppy, then demanded to know what the names of my dogs were. She gave each of them a cheerful wave and a "Hi Sadie/Maxwell!" as I departed.
We happened to pass them on our way home again, this time with Toby securely leashed. The kid not only remembered us, but called each dog by name. Toby wiggled in ecstasy at seeing his bestest friends again so soon.
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Sadie is famous! Check out the article, with a few pictures of her, taken at the dog wash on Sunday.
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No training update tonight. I'm way to tired to be a good trainer.
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