Kelly comes to town......

I have a sister in law, Kelly (who was here last year for my birthday and planted bras all over my yard ). But the Kelly I am talking about, is Jill and Mel's little lab mix, who is spending Xmas with us.

Jill was stressed when she dropped Kelly off on Friday night, worried, not about what she was subjecting her little dog to, but what she was subjecting us to. She seemed to think that Kelly would drive us crazy... I was more worried about Kelly missing Jill and Mel, and being freaked out about the cats and other dog we were going to surround her with.

Her first night, she slept in every chair in the livingroom to see which was just right for her. She ended up sleeping in bed with us, as I wrote in my last blog.

The next morning, Terry and I got up and made coffee, made space on the cluttered kitchen counters (see previous blog to see why it was still a mess... yipee... because I slept!!!!) to start making pet breakfasts. I went into Mollie's old food bin to get some of her food to mix with Kelly's and there was Mollie's cup. She ate her breakfast out of a cup each morning... as a game.... This was my first time seeing it, or even thinking about it since she died in August, and I immediately burst into uncharacteristic tears. I cried for the next half hour, on and off as I thought about Mollie. (Freaked Terry a little) Geesh, I didn't realize how much I miss her. Kelly reminds me of Mollie, too. Her first morning, she crawled all over us to get right in the middle and snuggle in to the pillows. I have had morning visits from Lucy but she is hyper and licky licky.... Kelly is more like Mollie.... after the pillow, more than anything.. hee hee..

Lucy, the cats, the pigs and my children (2 of them) arrived late in the afternoon... and we ASSUMED that because Lucy and Kelly had met a month earlier for the afternoon, that all would go well when they met this time...

Well, it didn't go well when they were on either side of the screen door, since one started barking which caused the other one to bark... no sissy girly barks either.... Kelly has a very distinctive beagle howl yodel bark, while Lucys' bark is more high pitched and panic sounding.

That got all of our attention, including most of the neighbourhood. After we settled them down in their separate spaces, we tried again... but it just got worse, once they met, as there was jumping, snapping and howl/bark/screaming (Michelle and I). I pushed Michelle and Lucy out the door... and we all took a few minutes to regroup.

Then, Terry and Scott bundled up in coats, hats, scarves and mitts.... geared up the dogs in leashes and harnesses (no easy feat, I must say) and they took the yappers out for a brisk cold windy walk. Michelle and I sat in the livingroom in glum and worry.. wondering what the week would be like....

20 minutes later, the girls arrived home, frisky, cold and happy to be in the house.. Treats were handed out all over the place, and they seemed to be ok again. They are now tag team beggars at the table, with Kelly doing the begging, and Lucy scoring a nibble every time Kelly gets one.

They are sharing the window bench and couch.....

but we have decided that although our window perch is perfect for nature watching.. its not so perfect for barky dogs. We don't mind the barking of one dog... and barking of two dogs is not so bad either... but it seems that when the barking starts... so does the snarling and growling... sort of like they are trying to "high 5" each other but it gets a little tense...

Our solution......we are putting the tree in the window, and we have "wrapped" the viewing part of the window with Xmas paper to block their view! hee hee....

So, all in all, after less than 24 hours, things are calm and peaceful. The treats flow freely, and they are happy and content. Kelly will prolly weight 3 lbs more when you get home... but, hey, so will I!