“Don’t worry about failures, worry about the chances you miss when you don’t even try.” –Jack Canfield
Before I make a decision about adopting Star, I decided that a trial run would be necessary. I want to see how Tippy handles having her here all the time and, how I handle having two dogs. So, my trainer brought her here this afternoon to begin the trial phase.
We let Tippy and Star play outside for a few minutes and then brought them inside and set up Star’s crate. I thought I was in for a long day/night when she immediately started barking. I think she just wanted out to play, but she isn’t totally house trained, so has to be in the crate most of the time when she is inside, for now.
When the trainer left, I got her out of the crate and took her and Tippy for a walk back in the hills where Tippy and I always go. I had Star on a long line and let Tippy run free. She stayed closer than she usually does.
We stopped for a break before turning around to come back.
When we got back to the house, Star used Tippy’s swimming pool, aka water bowl, to cool off.
I brought them back in the house, where it was cool, for a mid-afternoon nap. Tippy started in her crate too, but I let her out. This is where she ended up.
Star has not barked at all since we got back, even when she couldn’t see me.
I took them both outside later for a potty and play break. There was a storm in the distance. When it thundered, Star got scared and ran under the chair I was sitting in. I just let her be and petted Tippy, when she came over and sat in front of us. It wasn’t long before Star tentatively came out. We took a short walk and she was fine. Tippy was frightened of her first storm too. I remember it was a close one with lots of rain. I just had her come in the garage, closed the door, and we played games while the thunder rolled outside. She hasn’t been afraid of them since. I’m hoping the same will happen with Star.
I really thought all was going well until we came back inside. I put Star in her crate and left Tippy out. I sat where Star could see me. Tippy decided that she wanted to be a lap dog, which she does every once in a while. So, I stopped what I was doing and cuddled with her for a few minutes. Then, she decided that she was going to go into the forbidden bedroom and lay down. I had to go sush her out at least four time. The last time, she went over and layed in front of the door going out into the garage. I am feeling like she isn’t real keen on the fact that Star is staying and didn’t go home after what she considered an appropriate amount of time. Maybe a little bit of jealousy.
As I was finishing typing this last paragraph, Tippy came back and got up on the couch with me – curled up at my feet. I’m going to try to take cues from her over the next few days to see how she feels about Star. I don’t want to adopt her if it is going to upset Tippy.
If the trial “fails,” and we decide that Tippy doesn’t want a little sister, at least I’ll know we tried.
This is day 3 of the 3 day quote challenge. (Yes, a few days apart. Like I have said, life sometimes gets in the way of blogging…as I think it should.) I nominate the following bloggers for the 3-day quote challenge:
If you accept, post 1-3 quotes for 3 consecutive days (or whenever you make your next 3 posts), and nominate 3 fellow bloggers to do the same each day.
Tippy Tales 