This was Cassie's first major family holiday. She was a bit overwhelmed.
In the photo above, I am holding Sissy, our shy baby. Wick is holding Cassie, who has a black muzzle, as if she has been into the chocolate pudding.
She did not get into any pudding or pie, but tasted every crumb that dropped on the floor.
Our daughter has a large Golden Retriever, Emma, and two cats: Boots and Spencer. Our son has a Boston Terrier named Oreo. Cassie wanted to play with all of them.
Some were more enthusiastic than others.
The cats stared, hissed, and finally ambushed her. They never touched her, but to hear her shrieks, one would have thought she was being skinned alive.
Emma wanted desperately to play. But one little pat from a paw as big as Cassie's head sent her rolling across the floor.
Oreo is bouncy and playful, and a bit closer to Cassie and Sissy's size, but still big enough to send either of them sprawling with one mis-aimed leap.
They mostly played with each other, as they do at home, slept in their bed by my feet as we played Settlers of Catan, and did their best to charm bits of turkey and ham from unwary family members.
Sissy spent as much time as she could wheedle out of me, sitting in my lap with her head tucked under my arm, shivering if anyone else spoke to her or touched her.
After three days with 14 people, four dogs, and two cats, Sissy was doing her happy dance as soon as we got inside our house. Cassie ran around excitedly, sniffing to see that everything was exactly as she had left it.
They are sleeping the sleep of exhaustion as I write, snuggled together under their fleece blankets, noses still twitching at the scent of the left-overs we brought home.
They have no idea that in a month, we will be doing it all over again for Christmas.
Sometimes, ignorance is bliss.
6 comments:
Poor pooches! Oh, well, now that they've had their first family get-together, maybe Christmas won't be so traumatizing.
Our rat terrier, Sparky, doesn't travel with us very often, mostly because he only likes us and tries to bite every other adult. We usually get one of the young folks from church to come take care of him if we are going to be gone very long.
Ahhh... Sissy just wants her Mamma. Tiny dogs are so sweet and needy. I bet you wouldn't have it any other way, otherwise you guys would have a couple of boxers! I would love being around all those animals... heaven for me.
I took one of our barn cats to get her stitches out after being spayed, and I just fell in love with her. She let me hold her, purred and everything!
The animals are such a beautiful gift! Your story made both me and my husband smile! Hugs... : )
Theresa, the only time we left Sissy was when she ran away, so I don't think Wick is going to be willing to leave her with anyone unless it might be a kennel.
Linda, as a puppy mill rescue, Sissy is *very* needy. Cassie is very outgoing and social, and has helped Sissy come out of her shell a bit. I like cats, too, but Wick says our little cabin is not big enough for any more animals. We do love our little furbabies!
I can't recall whether it was a post or something in your profile, but I remember reading about Sissy's sad past. When God gave man dominion over the animals, that's not what he meant.
Puppy mills... can't even bear to think about it.
I don't mention it in my story, but Miranda has a beautiful Golden Retriever with her on the entire adventure. But their relationship reveals a too-motherly and responsible side that doesn't fit with her make-believe self. But I loved, loved, loved that wonderful girl. : )
I got a Yorkie when it was time, because I couldn't say goodbye to anyone as beautiful as she was again.
Tears and hugs...
Linda, I'm glad to know that Miranda had such a companion on her travels. We love our daughter's golden, Emma. If Goldens came in toy size, we would definitely have one--love that Golden personality!
emma is the biggest dog i have possibly ever seen in person. and GORGEOUS.
i'm so glad you posted this pic of you and wick and the dogs!
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