Note: I’m reblogging this post with the express written permission of Dawn Kinster who writes the blog Change is Hard…But Change is Certain. I’ll be following up soon with my own thoughts about the “nipping” issue–and why I don’t put Sasha into situations that bring dogs too close for her comfort. (Sasha, by the way, is in full agreement with Katie’s comment that “We got along just fine by ignoring each other.” I suspect if we’d attended this dog party Sasha and Katie would have been just fine together under that picnic table, each in their own space. )
For now, I hope you enjoy this “dog POV” about a day in the park with Shelties. My sincere thanks to Dawn and Katie for sharing this great tale!
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A sheltie party!
Posted on June 27, 2016 at https://dawnkinster.wordpress.com/2016/06/27/a-sheltie-party/
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See me? I’m about 5 dogs in from the left.
Katie here. Well! Mama said she’d top our last camping trip and this just might have done it! She took me to a sheltie meet and greet where there were close to 25 other shelties. And do you know what? They were at one of my parks! MY park!I did not invite all these other beautiful dogs to my park! I am supposed to be the supreme princess! The most beautiful sheltie around! It’s supposed to be all about me! Me me me me me!
One lady. Lots of shelties.
Ahem.
I had to go to the groomer to get beautiful just for this party, and that’s not fair either. But I’ll stop complaining now.
Emily Ann was the star of the party!
Because actually it was pretty interesting. My dad even went! I mostly sat under the picnic table while he talked to some people that had two shelties. The three of us hung out together under the table. We got along just fine by ignoring each other.
Lots of sheltie smiles.
In fact I was content to ignore all the other shelties but not my mama! Oh no, she had to go meet them all. I watched her sit down on the ground with some of them and pet them and tickle their tummies and I wasn’t jealous at all because I had my dad.
One of the only pictures of ME!
My mama didn’t even take very many pictures of me! Can you imagine that? She was busy taking pictures of all the other shelties. She kept saying things like “Wow, that’s a beautiful dog!” and ” oh look at that one!” You’d think I’d get a complex or something.
Sheltie kisses
But I didn’t, because lots of people thought I was beautiful too, and offered me treats which I politely refused. Until my mama took me for a walk and I met one lady sitting on a blanket. There were dog treats on that blanket! Her dog Sadie hadn’t eaten them, so I scarfed them up. Always willing to help out you know. Then she gave me a big treat and I chopped it right down.
Lots of sheltie lovers
But then I did a bad thing.
Sadie came by and sniffed my butt and I turned around and nipped at her. My mama was mortified. And as our parents were pulling us apart I nipped at her again! Well! Sadie is only a puppy and my mama said I should have had better manners.
Sadie and her mom
I was getting tired and hot by then and when we went back to daddy I nipped at another dog. So mama and daddy said that was quite enough and we went home. Mama says I have shown my true colors and now she knows to keep better watch on me.
Whatever that means.
I thought the party was interesting but I just got too warm and too tired and that made me cranky. A princess does not like to be sniffed so much. A princess is supposed to be kept cool and hydrated and well fed. I didn’t even have my princess pillow! I mean really, what were they thinking?
Sadie and a new friend
Anyway. I’m sorry I nipped at those dogs and I’ll try to be a better sheltie-citizen in the future. Meanwhile, I think all the dogs had a good time and I’m glad mama and daddy took me.
Cookie has the right idea. Time for a nap!
Time for a nap now.
Pet me! Pet me!!