One in, one out.

You may recall that back in January I posted about a new rescue dog; Mina.  The idea was that we would adopt her, but sadly it didn’t work out.  While things started out well, as Mina became more settled and her confidence grew issues started to surface.

Initially it centred around resource guarding, especially with regards to food.  It then escalated to guarding the house against men coming in the door, including me!  Finally she started attacking our other dog, Barney, to stop him getting to his food.  At that point we accepted defeat and that she had to be returned to the rescue centre.

We were once again a one dog family until a couple of weeks ago when our daughter asked us to look after her 18 month old working Cocker Spaniel; Mabel.  Mabel and the other dog in the their house don't get on so they needed to be separated.  Whether this is a permanent arrangement remains to be seen but for the moment double doggie life is happening once again at Chez Elenderil. 

Mabel, looking like butter wouldn't melt...

We have been forcibly reminded that an18 month old working Cocker is a lot more energetic than a 10 year old Kooikerhundje or even George at his prime for that matter, and don't get me started on food!   She even makes the late great George look like he was watching his weight.  George used to wait to eat Barney's left overs, well I say eat, hoover up is more accurate.  Mabel doesn't wait, if Barney turns his back for an instance she is in (like Flynn as we used to say).  Other than that they are getting along really well.  We are also back to some aspects of puppy training, but she is a bright girl, keen to please and the training is going well enough that we can let her off lead for a run in the local park secure in the knowledge that her recall is good (as long as the dog treats hold out).  I'm currently having to get up a couple of times each night to let her out to wee, but that seems to be due to a bladder infection which she is having treatment for and does seem to be reducing the trips to the back garden in the wee (see what I did there) small hours.  For the last few nights there have been no 'accidents' so that seems to be going well too.

It's nice having a second dog around the place even if she is currently on my side of the bed sleeping snuggled up to Mrs E!  Dogs eh?