They may never be friends but Speck is no longer wearing a muzzle and unless something out of the ordinary happens, there is no growling, biting or attacking. Monday night, we had Rita in the house and we had the muzzle on Speck. Things weren’t terrible. Tuesday night, Speck barked the entire night. Wednesday I said to myself . . they have to work it out. I can’t take it any longer so while Vince was at work, I let Rita in and I stood back and watched. She ran up to Speck to sniff and Speck walked away like he was halfway afraid of her. After that, they’ve pretty much ignored each other. At night, Speck sits in the chair with me and I’ve been careful not to let Rita jump up in the chair with us. That would probably cause problems.
Rita has been sleeping in a crate in the sewing room but since it gets dusk about 7:30, we were putting her in then and it isn’t daylight til after 7:30 in the morning so she was staying in there an awful long time. We decided to bring a smaller crate into the house and let her sleep in there. That way, we let her out about 9:30 p.m. when Speck goes out for the last time, and we take her out again in the morning about 5:30 when we get up. She whined a bit in the crate and a couple of times, each of us got up to mist her with the spray bottle and say “NO!” for whining and barking.
Friday night (last night), we decided to let her sleep on the sofa. We have a slip cover and an old blanket over that. She was happy and quiet on there.
Bedtime for Rita
Speck curled up on his pillow by my chair, which is where he sleeps, and all was well.
Speck on his Pillow
Rita spends her days outside as long as we’re home. If we’re gone for longer than an hour or so, Speck goes into his crate, whic is what always happens, and we put Rita behind the gate in the kitchen.
We may have worked this all out with no bloodshed and minimal extra gray hairs for mom!
Toni Wood says
Time is the greatest healer! Glad all has worked out .
kim paventy says
I was just thinking about you guys and the dogs. Thanks for the update
Erin says
Awe 🙂 they are content! Congratulations btw Rita is a nice addition to your family! Love her collar too! Glad to see Speck love him too! Along with Boots mischievous Boots!
Melissa raddetz says
Great news!! So happy they’re going to at least tolerate each other.
I like to make predictions — just to see if they come true. So here goes…One cold night when Speck is sound asleep and snuggled under his quilt Rita will join him and he won’t really mind. This may be pushing it …but who knows, maybe even Boots can be Rita’s friend?!? Our dog and cat grew to love each other and love to share the dog bed when it’s cold.:)
Melissa Raddetz
Glen in louisiana says
At the shelter, when we let two dogs out in the play yard together for the first time there is always posturing. They generally work it out with little interference from us. At time, when we do have to intervene, we never use leashes. A dog acts very differently when on a leash.
We rarely have problems beyond that, they just seem to work it out. Too bad humans aren’t more like dogs. That is why I have always preferred the company of dogs over humans.
Sherrill says
So you think Rita’s housebroken and won’t go potty during the night? I don’t think I’ll ever trust my mutt enough to leave him out when I can’t keep an eye on him!
Denise in PA says
So glad to to hear there’s at least a truce! I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the two actually become friends! I love the scenario Melissa predicts bove! o:)
JudyL says
I’m hoping for that scenario too. It would be so nice to see them being friends.