Keeping Things Friendly

Regular readers know that Marge can be kind of picky when it comes to canine friends. This makes the role of her handful of play buddies extra important to me.

We've tried to set up a couple of play dates this weekend, but they didn't really work out.

Friday, We headed over to my grandmother's house, whose neighbor has two Cavalier/Bichon mixes who Marge absolutely adores. Since they and their owner were home, we were fully expecting to be able to go over to see them in their yard ... but, as it turns out, their owner told us she was trying to grow grass in her yard and didn't want them running around back there. They were out on leash in the front, and I suppose I could have walked over, but I didn't want to intrude.. she didn't sound like she wanted to be bothered that day.

Yesterday, we did get in a little bit of a "play date," training at the club with little Westie S and her mom. They didn't play much, because it was REALLY hot (see picture below of Marge melting into the concrete while in my yard), but I suppose just being together works, too. The only dumb thing Marge did while there was guard her treats.. my fault, mostly, for leaving them out on the seat.

Later on Saturday, Marge did get to see her little Boston Terrier friend, Gordon, for a couple of minutes while out walking. If you recall, he was having some reactivity/aggression problems himself. I really felt for his owner, and I thought it was going to be the end of Marge's encounters with him. Well, as it turns out, Gordon is doing better with other dogs. When he and Marge spotted each other, they both instantly went into play bows and chase mode. I cautiously allowed her to approach, and it worked out. There was no snarking on either end. There is no polite introduction with these two. They literally just run up to one another and start going bonkers. Ideal? No. But better than nothing, I think.

This morning, I saw Buddy, the spaniel mix, out in his yard. I asked his owner if Buddy would be home today, and he said yes. I then told him that I was going to go home and get Marge, and he said it was okay. Yay, I thought, something is finally going to work out. Well, I got Marge, went over, and his car was gone and the door to the house was shut. Buddy was probably inside the house with the man's wife, but, since it was 9 AM, I didn't want to risk waking anyone up.

$@$^%&!

Crap. I'm glad she had the couple of encounters that she did, but I really would have liked for her to have a real play date. It can be so difficult to find play buddies, maintain relationships with them and work play dates into both parties' schedules. I'm hoping to have practice time at the club with one or two new people, but who knows when that'll be and how it'll go. Anyone else with nutty dogs like mine have these issues?

(PS - I'm SO behind on visiting blogs. Tomorrow afternoon, after a quiz at school that I expect to go horribly, I will have plenty of time to read about what every one has been up to.)