Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Assessing Brooklyn


I've been doing some serious reflection and soul searching on the subject of my new little brother. I was a little startled at first, you understand. The biggest thing I was planning  to cope with last Saturday was a bath and it turned out that major life changes were in store. Plus the bath. But the fact is that I was rescued. Yes, I also rescued my humans. I rescued them from a life without me, Lola, which was simply not nearly as good as life with me. Be that as it may, I was the one living in a crate waiting for a furever home and I have been so very happy in the one I found. It would be wrong, wrong, wrong to be unwilling to Pei that forward and Brooklyn represents an opportunity to give someone else a bit of what I've got. Not to mention that giving him a home might get another doggy a little more time to find his or her forever home at the shelter. That doesn't mean  it's all peace, love and understanding every minute. And it doesn't mean I'm not going to call him Dorkface Boy from time to time, because sometimes that's what he is.

When you can take the pebble from my paw, Young Grasshopper, you will be allowed on the couch.
Of course there's rather a lot of distance between deciding that I should welcome the chance to make a pawsonal sacrifice and actually enjoying my little brother.We're just starting that journey. I hope it doesn't turn out to take forever. In all honesty I have to admit that he's going to be a pretty good dog if he learns a few things and gets a little more life experience. I just don't know how long that's going to take.

From the human perspective he's quite a find, like most Pei. He doesn't chew anything he's not supposed to. He doesn't think he's allowed on the furniture so he doesn't get up on it even though I do. We don't actually have that rule, but we're not telling him quite yet. He's totally housebroken.  Blog Mom was a little worried about that but charged ahead anyway. What's the matter with her? What happened was that on Saturday, while Alpha Mom and I were both getting groomed (same time, different shops) she sneaked went down to the shelter. It seems she'd been looking at the Petfinder site again and when there was a Shar Pei at the local municipal shelter she couldn't stop herself.  She got there, asked for him and he was brought out into this room they have for that kind of meeting. She wasn't worried when he went all crackadaisical, running all over, because she knew he was living in a crate and not everydog can handle that situation with the kind of poise that I did during my time in shelter. She was a tad concerned with the fact that he lifted his leg and marked in the room - indoors, pawple - every 15 seconds. Obviously, this didn't stop her and she went ahead and dragged invited Alpha Mom and me down to meet Brooklyn that same day. In fact, turns out our stop at Petco was to get him something to wear around the house in case this behavior continued at home. Not needed. Once in my our home he did not lift that leg once inside. He sits, and he even stays if you tell him just right. Not for long, but then I'm not one for the long stay myself unless I didn't want to get up anyway. He's barkier than I am, and they have mixed feelings about that. More of a guard dog, but also more of a nuisance. I don't much care either way.

That's the human angle. From the canine perspective he's a bit of a dunce. First off I had to demonstrate the purpose of a dog bed. We dragged out my old one for him to use for now. He seemed to think it was a giant stuffy.   He did pick that lesson up fairly quickly, I must admit.

Is this right, Big Sis?
He doesn't know anything about chasing squirrels or birds. Birds just walk around the yard , not even bothering to fly, when he's out there without me - and if he's out there it's without me if I have anything to say about it. I saw a squirrel just hanging out on a tree trunk not more than 3 feet from the ground with Brooklyn just standing there a couple of yards away. I think the squirrel was taunting him.

What I found out last night was that despite his constant and noisy demands that I play with him, he doesn't actually know how to do that either. He gets into play stance - you know, front down, haunches up and make all kinds of "C'mon, play with me. Let's go! Please, please, please!" noises,but he's all talk, no action. That was most clearly demonstrated in what will live forever as one of his most embarrassing  moments if I have anything to do with it. I was feeling expansive and lively after dinner so when he started I rolled over and made the appropriate noises indicating my willingness to do a little bitey face. He just stood there looking confused. But wait! It gets better. Being confused didn't stop him from starting the whole routine over again when I got up so I got in play position myself, only with haunches down and said, "OK, bring it. You want to romp? We'll romp right here in the living room."  Do you know what he did? He looked like a deer in headlights and very slowly lowered his back end onto the ground and then pretended that he just wanted to take a little rest anyway.

I think that was even funnier than the other day when I was interrupted from my morning nap by the sound of a terrifed "Yelp!!". Simone was chasing Brooklyn down the hallway and he was running as if for his life. Simone may be getting older but she's still got it. Happy's way of coping is different. He just sought higher ground until Simone schooled Brooklyn in the ways of the feline.



 It didn't take long and Hapless is already back in his basket. Simone doesn't mess around. I don't want you to think that Brooklyn is a total wuss, though. He did take down a moose.


 So, that's where we're at right now. It's a mitzvah to take him in and I'm OK with that. He's good raw material but needs a lot of molding and educating. And right now he's a pain in my tail.

23 comments:

  1. Lola, That is so pawsome. It may take a bit of getting used to. BUT it is a good thing!!
    TAilwags
    Ernie,Sasha,Chica

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  2. I loved this post, Lola!! I can't wait to read more about how you and Brooklyn grow to be great friends! You have so much to teach him. I know you're up to the task!

    Wags,
    Zona

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  3. Oh Lola,
    My cat brothers, Henry and Buster, went through the same thing as you when I joined the family last May and I'm sure they felt the same way about me as you do about Brooklyn. Furst, I didn't know how to play (I thought chasing and getting down on front paws was a playful gesture) and I didn't know how to share toys (I thought my brothers were giving me toys to pounce on) and I didn't know how to share the bed with them. It took at least 6 months for me to learn to do everything and I have my kitty brothers to thank fur it so have patience and your brother will figure out who's in charge!
    Love...Daisy

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  4. Very cool, Lola! It's kind of you to open your paws to another sibling. You'll get many treats in return, I'm sure!

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  5. By the way - Brooklyn is quite good looking. He fits in nicely with the rest of the family!

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  6. Lola,

    That was a very nice story. :)I thinks you will be the bestest big sissy evers for Brooklyn! Just be patient with hims and he will make you proud!

    Woofs and Licks,
    Maggie Mae

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  7. This is very exciting. I think that even though he might be a little rough now, you can be a good teacher and he'll start to pick up your good habits. We've taught our foster dog Wilma a lot just by watching our pooches. We're excited to hear about your adventures!

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  8. Cool Lola, but you know what this means? Sharing...yuk
    Benny & Lily

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  9. Lola - you are very sweet to make room for Brooklyn. I am glad you were able to show him how to use your dog bed. Maybe keep the couch for yourself - we all need a little space of our own!

    Simone sounds like my sister Rosie. Cats need to be in control or they go wacky!

    Your pal, Pip

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  10. Hi, Lola!
    I know it is going to take time but I am sure he will feel at home and more confident pretty soon!
    Be patient!
    Kisses and hugs
    Lorenza

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  11. I think Brooklyn will provide the right balance in the family... some sprinkle of dorkiness with a dash of humility to it. This is the beginning of a wonderful journey, Lola :)

    Licks, hero

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  12. Woof! Woof! Lola this is a good thing. It may take time for you to get use to Brooklyn but I know you'll be the best buds. can't wait to hear your progress. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar

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  13. Lola, you are a very kind and benevolent sister. At least you got a sibling like you. Sometimes I think Morgan is from another planet! She's always watching and herding! I have a feeling you'll get Brooklyn trained just the way you want him in no time!

    Bunny

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  14. Hahaha.. I remember BabyRaisy took more than 4 months to be around me.. She hated the sight of me in the house when I first went to live with my parents. She would be on the second floor if I ever go hang out in the living room and vice versa.

    So you are doing just fine Lola! I am sure he will learn pretty quick from you if you would give him a little more guidance and time.. And of course not forgetting to mention simone..

    Quick question though, how would your hooman knows if Brooklyn is ok with cats.. Aren't they afraid he might eat the cats up. Do let me know ok, cuz mommy is planning to have a cat but worried I might kill it cuz i've been chasing cats around the neighbourhood.

    Licks
    Zelle

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  15. Lola, I'm sure you and Brooklyn will be good pals very soon.
    For the moment, he makes me a bit sad. Obviously, he knows how to behave with humans (no chewing, no sleeping on sofas, etc...). But although he is very pleased to have you, he does not know how to behave like a dog. He does not know how to play, how to enjoy a dog bed, etc... Being always close to you surely means he misses his mother. He seems not to have enjoyed the little pleasures of being a puppy. i'm sure he will from now on.

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  16. Lola you are the sweetest pei for being so kind to your new brother, he is going to need to learn lots of things and you are just the girl to show him the world as it should be for us doglets. I am sure with you teaching him he will come on iin no time at all.
    You are one superstar Sister thats for sure
    Luvs
    Molly

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  17. Lola you are a very deep thinking and considerate Lady Pei...we love the Karate Kid quote...Mom told me my human sis was a B I G fan of that movie.
    Your parents are very very special folks to take Brooklyn in as they did. You were very lucky they found you and taught you all you know and how to love so yes sweetie you will Pei it forward ....that is after he shows you he knows you are Queen of the house. Gotta make that 100% understood. Big hugs to you both...mom and I love your faces to death. Oh Mom saw our neighborhood Pei, Monkey, yesterday. He doesn't have any body wrinkles at all just his face. Maybe someday she can get a picture. His mom told mom there are 3 more at home. Evidently one Pei is never enough. Whoopee
    Madi and Mom

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  18. Dearest Lola,

    Ranger here. Our siblings are incredibly lucky to have us to lead the way for them. There are many things on which you are going to have to instruct Brooklyn. Mayzie was approximately Brooklyn's age when she came to live with us and I had to remind myself that she hadn't been in the world as long as I, and she had a lot to learn. (Well, between you and me, she still does. Sigh.) She tried my patience to a great extent those first few months in our house. But as you know, we eventually sorted most things out. And I am confident that with your diplomatic and educational abilities, Brooklyn will one day be chasing squirrels and playing bitey face with the best of them!

    Warmest Regards,
    Ranger

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  19. Oh yes, yes, Lola! You are Most Definitely my BFF, too! I just LUVS you to pieces! (Um, well, not literally cuz that would be kinda gross.)

    Wiggles & Wags,
    Mayzie

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  20. I think you're going to be a great big sister, Lola! Just let him know who's the boss, BOL!

    Luv,
    Cloud

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  21. miss lola,
    i am sorry you got the biggest surprise of your life last saturday, but betweens you and me, brooklyn got the bestest big sis he could evarrr hope to find. us younger brothers can be spazzy 'n crazy go nuts, but it's just because we are so so excited to have a forevarrr home and a sibling to share everythingie with. you are being super duper kind to put up with brooklyn. he just has to learn to show you lovins without going overboard. i still get way too excited sometimes, and i'm almost 2. but don't worry cuz he will catch on soon with such a smart big sis like you! :)
    *woof*
    the booker man

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  22. Lola Dear, YES Of course your little brother Brooklyn is invited to the wedding also!!! there will also be a bachelor pawty... do you feel that he is tooo young and impressionable to attend that?? There is plenty of time for you to Paw that question around before deciding.
    NOW... about that California Style wedding thingy you mentioned on Puddles' blog... PLEASE let us NOT give her any more ideas... she has enough of her own... esp. the pawt about the in line skates!!! Shiver Shake Tremble.

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  23. Poor Brooklyn has never had anyone to play with him or teach him how to play. It looks like that's your new job, Lola. I know that in no time at all you'll have him whipped into a perfect example of a Pei dog.

    This weekend our Mom is going to post a welcome to Brooklyn on our other blog http://dogs-n-more.blogspot.com.

    She'll send you an email when it's posted.

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