So yesterday

[isabelladangelo]

Mom dropped of Shiloh. I'm doggysitting him until Sunday. He seemed okay about it. For those that haven't met or heard about Shiloh before: Shiloh is Mom & Dad's dog. He's psycho. No, really.
He's gotten better but he's extremely nervous all the time. His jaw chatters, he'll lick his lips, and he'll start growling if you get too close. Now, he doesn't bite anymore (he did bite but never very hard) but he is still aggresive due to his nerves.

Once we figured out the problem (he's psycho with anxiety), we were able to get him focused on other things. Okay, so really, it was Miss Ginsie biting him on the ear anything he got too out of line that probably helped but he is not the same dog that a few of you remember.

He will sniff your feet, nervously, when he meets new people in his house. If you are just out for a walk, he'll probably only hide behind who ever is walking him and stay very calm. The sad thing? He's awesome around babies. No, really. Toddlers can pull his tail, hang on to his fur, and he just licks them and moves away. It's adults Shiloh is wary of.

So, given that he'd be in a new enviroment (my house) and not have four or five people going in and out all day, Mom was worried about how he'd behave. Turns out? No need to worry. According to Mom, the second they got into old Greenbelt, Shiloh began to whine. You know that "I know where we are! I want to get out play! Let me out! I want to see them now!" whine? That one.

She let Miss Ginsie out and, of course, they played. Mom left after an hour or so. I waited outside with the pups and both watched her leave. Right after the car was out of sight? Rather than the nervous jaw chattering I'm use to, Shiloh came up and was wagging his tail. Instead of the "Oh noes! Iz in trouble? Why Mom leave me?" I got the "So, what are we gonna play next, Sis?" reaction.

My guess is that a) he really is a heck of a lot better and b) he knows my house. He knows exactly who I am. He knows I'm part of the "pack" in a way and that I am above him in pack leadership terms. He knows Ginsie is above him. :-) He also probably recognizes the smells inside the house as being mine and Ginsie. He's around a person, another dog, and other recognizable things so it doesn't make him nearly as nervous as he use to be. He has been over to my house a few times so I think that helps as well.

Well, a couple of hours or so after that, I went to the "open house" at janinas_nest and baron_rorik's. It was fun and I enjoyed seeing everyone and meeting a few new people. I got a few more pearls sewn on to my partlet. I also got my reservation for Novice in. And yes, Miss Ginsie really is running Newcomer's Point. Can you think of a better greeter or anyone (thing?) that can make someone feel more welcome? :-) In the morning, at least, Ginsie will be wearing her "garb". I'll probably put it on her at feast as well. (If anyone is concerned about a dog at feast; the feast is outside in a covered area. I tend to sit on the edge so I can get up and leave quickly if necessary with her and so she's not in anyone's way. She sits and drinks her water and eats any of the stuff everyone is willing to share with her. She has her own feast gear, a wooden bowl and a lovely orangy-red and white glazed bowl. Dogs have been living off of humans scraps of food forever. It's actually very medieval. :-) )

(Sewing) Plans for tonight:

Cut out Mom's kirtle out of the green linen.
Embroider the sleeves a bit.
Add some more pearls to the partlet.

Comments

[vesper2000.livejournal.com]

Poor Shiloh. :(

[isabelladangelo.livejournal.com]

He was one of those "aggresive" cases that you hear about the shelters putting down all the time. The thing is, he really is a good dog and a great dog around little ones. He's protective over Marxer (my nephew) and always checks on him. (Queen) Ginsie, on the other hand, will barely acknowledge this small human. She did give Marxer a kiss a couple of weeks ago but she is still pretty jealous and just ignores the silly crying smelly human. :-)