And then there were Two

Is there such a thing as a dog with a NEAT FREAK personality? Anything is possible. Right? Absolutely. Well, I believe I am the proud owner of a neat freak dog. Wouldn't that look great on a bumper sticker. I'm the proud parent of a neat freak dog.

We introduced a new member to our pack this weekend. Her name is Nettie after the wonderful Netti-Pot. If you have sinus problems try a Netti-Pot and life will become breathable. So Netti is a 5 month old puppy who is giving Russ a run for the money or should I say food.

Nettie is a mix of pug and shih-tzu. We refer to her as a pugshit. She is a energetic bundle of puppiness. Add her rough and tumbleness to Russ's sedate and velcroness makes the mix a mash.

Russ who has been a wee bit spoiled has taken this new intrusion like she is just a nuisance. He has been very aloof about the entire upheaval. Russ has toys - toys that he has never played with - but kept tucked away in one of his four dog beds. They sit there quite nicely. He also has a slew of rawhide bones which he never chews and they are also tucked away next to the toys in one of his dog beds.

Nettie likes toys and snatched one of Russ's and he became concerned. So I trotted to the store and bought Nettie her own toys so she would leave Russ's toys neatly in the dog bed. Nettie is on another page in the book.

Nettie runs to the dog bed and removes a rawhide chew climbs on the couch and starts to chew. Better the bone than my new slippers that she has taken a liking to. When she tires of the fun she runs off and along comes Russ. He gently picks up the rawhide or the toy and runs back to his bed and places it back in the proper place. This scenario goes on all day long. He likes his toys all lined up in a neat row in his doggie bed. It's going to be an interesting journey with these two different critters.

King of the Hill

Sometimes you just know when to throw in the towel. The game is over. You have heard the fat lady singing. Time's up and you have lost. It's a sad feeling. So, now get over it - move forward - move on to the next stumbling block, brick wall and the always waiting next issue in life. Mark the last one off your list of things that will never happen - out of my control or comfort zone.

We did our best - we worked as a team - we tried several strategies - but alas - he won and we lost. Such is life. It was even two against one and still we came out on the down side. Perhaps we gave up too soon. Who knows? Whatever! We will accept our fate and live with the consequences. We learned a lesson. We found out who really is in control and in charge of us and our life. We know who is the boss man and who pulls the strings. Except for when we go for our daily walks then I am in charge of pulling the string.

Actually it is not a string but a leash and I have control. Such a little accomplishment but it makes me feel good. We did come out the victor in that scenario. Baby steps and be happy. He does know which side of his bread is buttered on - not - that we give him bread and butter.

I am glad that he has a happy life. Who knows what went on in his life before us? It's a give and take issue although we seem to be giving more and he seems to be taking LOTS. That's okay. He is now King of the Hill or King of our bed.

Our bed is large and we will just have to suck it up and share our bed with him forever. He's small so the space in the bed that he occupies is minimal. Thank goodness he doesn't snore. And who knows what his presence will do to my asthma or allergies? The fabric has been laid out and cut and he will sleep with us indefinitely.

The joys of adopting a rescue dog are many. Is it easy? No. Is it satisfying? Yes. Statistics says people who own dogs are happier and live longer. We are just rolling on the floor laughing due to the fact that the little mutt has commandeered our bed for his very own kingdom.