#2 and Proud of it!

Hi everyone it's me Mia, the adopted #2 dog.  Just because I arrived second, do not think I am not important nor assume I am a gal who lets anybody push me around.

So far I only feel like #2 when Dudley body slams me to get to a bush or patch of grass when we are on a walk, or when it is treat time and he juxtapositions to get the first one.  I derive pleasure in knowing he has no clue what "juxtaposition" means. 

My arrival was preceded by a very long van ride in which I had to endure a lot of barking from other orphans who would soon have families.  Unfortunately they were mostly those little things with high-pitched barks that make big girls like me want to put our tails in their faces.  But I am too nice for that.  I just tried to go into my little doggy Ohm meditation and deal with it until we finally got to meet my new Mom!

What did we do right after I got out of that truck full of yappers but ride in the car for almost two hours. Aunt Debbie talked to me and scratched me and that made me feel tons better.  At least it was quiet.

On arriving cold on a frigid night in late February, Dudley and I were introduced and then turned loose in the awesome back yard.  There was a pond. I LOVE water.  So I went swimming.  That got me in some trouble and I stank like frogs and rotting leaves, but it was great fun before I realized how cold it was.  Mom had towels so all was well.

Mom worked from home for the first few weeks after I arrived, so we had tons of time together and walks all around town.  It took Dudley and me a while to get comfortable with one another and he stole my bed almost immediately.  It was just a power play so I acted like his bed was better and slept in it.  Really any bed is an improvement over a cage in a truck full of yapping height-challenged brothers and sisters.  Besides, I am taller and heavier than the Dud and he knows it.  So in the end, after crawling in bed with him to show him I knew which was mine, I won my bed back. 

We sit together on the deck overlooking the garden and make sure it is free of rabbits.  We chase birds and occasionally find a vole.  When we do, we play with it until it gives up.  A few days later it creates the most wonderful perfume that we roll in before presenting ourselves to Mom.  I've learned that she's not as excited about our fanciness as we are, especially when we roll around on the rugs inside before she discovers our scent.

Dudley is pretty easygoing and slow and I just love to annoy him by attacking him when he is sleeping or biting his ears when he is just walking by.  Then we fight and run and chase until he is worn out.  I never get tired. 

My new best friend is Emma.  She lives next door and loves to run.  I didn't know people liked to do that too (Mom isn't a runner).  Emma sometimes invites me out and we run for miles and then I come home and get a cool down rub and extra food. Dudley has to be kept somewhere else when the extra food comes out; he is a little chubby and doesn't deserve extra because he does not run.  When Emma comes over I jump for joy and twist in the air when all four feet leave the ground.  I can hardly stand my excitement and I get very impatient while she puts on my leash. 

I love walks and I always have to be in front.  I admit it that I am fast and I want to be out there.  When Dudley tries to nose ahead I have to pick up the pace. It is my job to show that girls can keep pace or even move ahead of the dudes.  Part of the reason of course is that I don't stop to pee all over everything.   That seems like such a waste of time.

Here are some things I think you might want to know if you are thinking of adopting a second dog.  Some of them are things Mom says.

• The second dog is exponential in terms of time, money and love. 
• Girl dogs are easier than boys.  We are far more accommodating and just want to get along. 
• Everyone else's toys always are more interesting looking than our own.  And we might tend to hoard just a little bit...because we have been deprived.
• It takes us about 3 months to be pretty sure you aren't going to give us away or dump us like we have experienced in the past.
• When we finally are comfortable that we get to stay, then we will play and eat more and even start to bark; Mom was ecstatic when she first heard me bark.  Then she knew I was going to be ok.
• If you can trust us, try not to make us go in a cage.  Thankfully I got a Mom who doesn't use them.  We have our beds and Dudley taught me all about procedures.  That probably means that if you have one bad dog, you can be sure that the new dog will learn from them (and you; lots of bad dog behavior has more to do with human behavior).  Thankfully Dudley has been a good teacher.
• If you teach us manners from the start we will not forget them.  I know I have to sit when we are on the leash and Dudley stops for another bush-wetting.  And most importantly, I know to sit before crossing the street; Mom says that will save my life someday.

So now we are on our second half-year.  Dudley has stopped acting like Eeyore and has accepted me.  I know my boundaries with Dudley and Mom.  My only wish is that I catch one of those brown bunnies we see in the neighbors' yards.  I really want one.

READ ABOUT MY ADOPTION

READ ABOUT HOW DUDLEY FELT ABOUT MY ADOPTION