This past week there was an addition to the family. Pippa, a 2-year-old Shih Tzu, has come to live with us. Sierra, my incredibly spoiled 5-year-old Shih Tzu, has been less than thrilled about this change.
Poor Pippa is very confused by the whole thing -- a new house, and she can't find her brother Rhino anywhere. And apparently Pippa is a stress-eater (like me) because she is downing 2 full bowls of dog food every day. Unfortunately these empty dog bowls are only compounding Sierra's stress.
Sierra hasn't ever really been around other dogs at all, so that one has "invaded" her house is terribly upsetting. And that Pippa ("The Intruder") has the nerve to want to PLAY with Sierra is only adding insult to injury.
Yesterday I took them both with me as I went running errands. Sierra always loves a ride in the truck, and Pippa was almost as excited -- at least at the beginning. When I got to the bank and left BOTH dogs in the car Sierra had quite the look of terror as I trapped her in the truck with "The Intruder." Although I was only gone a few minutes, the greeting I received upon my return was that of a year-long journey. Well, at least I felt loved and wanted.
Now that a few days of co-habitating has passed, I'm letting them both have free run of the house all day. Sequestering only happens when I'm afraid that Pippa is going to ralph up all that dog food on my bed. Puppy Puke is just not conducive with a good night's sleep.
With all of the changes in my life lately, I can understand how they feel. Circumstances beyond your control can turn your whole world upside down -- and you just have to figure out how to deal with the change. And just like I was so blessed to have amazing people around me to help me through, I am trying to be there and do special things for the puppies at their time of strife.
Change is hard -- for people and for dogs. But I know that I am stronger for the changes in my life, and I can only hope for the same for the dogs.
