Throw the Ball!
A few months back, before Colin was reliably grabbing things, he was in the living room napping in his jiggle-puff jungle chair. H was in his chair and I was on the sofa. The weather was miserable, so Sydney hadn't had a walk that day. I can't recall if it was 110ยบ or pouring, but it was one of the two almost all summer long, so take your pick. Either way we'd been hiding inside from the weather.
Since the poor dog hadn't had a walk we were throwing the ball for her inside the house. She's always been very diplomatic when playing ball in the house. She'll scamper after the ball, but brings it back to a different person every time to ensure that everyone is included in the game. Seriously. Once to me, then to H, to me, to H. Well, this time she mixed it up. First H threw the ball, so she brought it back to me. I threw the ball and she brought it back... and put it in the chair with Colin!
Colin was, of course, to small to throw the ball at that time. And he was very busy napping so he wasn't really up to the game, so in his stead I threw the ball for her. She sprinted, got the ball, brought it back, and again gently laid the ball in the chair next to Colin. Over and over and over again. She was determined that her new little pal would get his turn to play.
And that's not her only interaction with Colin. She cannot stand when he cries - if we don't pick him up immediately she races to him and licks his face frantically until he stops.
(Initially I think the poor kid was just flummoxed by this, now he gets a giant grin on his face and reaches for her.) She even braved the swing for him. In spite of being a rather timid pup in most respects, but when it comes to her teeny little pal all bets are off. If Colin is in his swing and starts to fuss and/or cry she races to the swing and, with not a care for herself, throws herself in front of it letting the chair slam into her chest to stop it, then madly licks the baby to "fix" him.
And her efforts have not gone unnoticed. Colin just ADORES Syd. Last night he was sitting in dad's lap fussing (he was over-tired), but as soon as the dog walked up to them he was all smiles. He lunged forward toward her and she went in for a big SLU-U-U-U-URP!!! Then they both smiled as if it were the most amusing thing ever. I'm not sure who's more adorable and simple... the boy or the dog! But either way, I can see that they're going to be best friends growing up, and I couldn't be happier.
So, on her 5th birthday, I would like to send virtual belly-rubs to our darling Sydney. A wonderful dog, a sweet pet, and an exceptionally talented (if furry) nursemaid. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SYDNEY!!!
Since the poor dog hadn't had a walk we were throwing the ball for her inside the house. She's always been very diplomatic when playing ball in the house. She'll scamper after the ball, but brings it back to a different person every time to ensure that everyone is included in the game. Seriously. Once to me, then to H, to me, to H. Well, this time she mixed it up. First H threw the ball, so she brought it back to me. I threw the ball and she brought it back... and put it in the chair with Colin!
Colin was, of course, to small to throw the ball at that time. And he was very busy napping so he wasn't really up to the game, so in his stead I threw the ball for her. She sprinted, got the ball, brought it back, and again gently laid the ball in the chair next to Colin. Over and over and over again. She was determined that her new little pal would get his turn to play.
And that's not her only interaction with Colin. She cannot stand when he cries - if we don't pick him up immediately she races to him and licks his face frantically until he stops.
And her efforts have not gone unnoticed. Colin just ADORES Syd. Last night he was sitting in dad's lap fussing (he was over-tired), but as soon as the dog walked up to them he was all smiles. He lunged forward toward her and she went in for a big SLU-U-U-U-URP!!! Then they both smiled as if it were the most amusing thing ever. I'm not sure who's more adorable and simple... the boy or the dog! But either way, I can see that they're going to be best friends growing up, and I couldn't be happier.
So, on her 5th birthday, I would like to send virtual belly-rubs to our darling Sydney. A wonderful dog, a sweet pet, and an exceptionally talented (if furry) nursemaid. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SYDNEY!!!
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