Teaching my dog kindness

[iris lilies]

This post is rather tongue in cheek yet it is somewhat sincere.


I have been talking to my bulldog about being kind to the cat here. We have a fat old cat who is very passive and when the dog goes after her she doesn’t run she hunkers down and hisses. He doesn’t go after her very often. They sleep in the same bed with me every night, but once in a while he gets a Bee in his bonnet to chase her out of the bed. So lately I’ve been showing him how the cat is “nice” and I pet her and talk about how “nice” she is in a quiet, soothing voice voice.


That actually seems to have made an impression on him. He looks at me, looks at our fat cat, looks back at me, and remains calm.

I am beginning to think my instruction in kindness is lodging in his bulldog brain.

[Teacher Terry]

That’s so funny! Animals are smarter than we think.

[CathyA]

Sounds like a good plan!

[catherine]

I know dogs understand more than we think they do, and most are pretty teachable. Sounds like yours is a teachable one, IL!

[JaneV2.0]

This post is rather tongue in cheek yet it is somewhat sincere.


...

That actually seems to have made an impression on him. He looks at me, looks at our fat cat, looks back at me, and remains calm.

I am beginning to think my instruction in kindness is lodging in his bulldog brain.

Or maybe he's just thinking "That old cat is more of a rival than I thought. Mom seems to really like her. Next time, I'll throw her down the stairs!"

[Teacher Terry]

Our 14 yo Maltese is going downhill with her kidney disease. She is sleeping a lot. So sad after just losing our big guy. 2 years ago we lost 2 dogs in 2 months.

[iris lilies]

Or maybe he's just thinking "That old cat is more of a rival than I thought. Mom seems to really like her. Next time, I'll throw her down the stairs!"
Haha. Maybe.

[JaneV2.0]

I think animals--like some human couples--decline and die together.
My SO's cats--a bonded pair--went within days of each other.

[Teacher Terry]

Cassie and Josie were bonded but Mandy never liked Noki. Although, she has always been empathetic and she cried the whole time Noki was dying where as the little ones were oblivious and playing.

[rosarugosa]

I'm sorry your Maltese is declining, Terry.

[iris lilies]

Terry, so how many doggies do you have at the moment?

[Teacher Terry]

Just 3

[Teacher Terry]

We are holding firm because of money and who will take them when we die. My young friend will take the 2 young ones.

[iris lilies]

Oh, thats good.

we are down to 1. He is 8.5 years old and may be around a few years more.I hope I can hold off from getting permenant dogs and we can just have foster dogs for a while after he goes but I don’t know, I’m very attracted to portable dogs. I find myself looking at pug rescue now and then.

[Teacher Terry]

When we got into rescue I never imagined how expensive it can be. Two 5 lb dogs were on 4 medications 3xs a day and that costs 400/month. We always do whatever is needed within reason so less dogs are better at this stage of our lives. Plus I don’t want my dogs to end up in a shelter.