fbpx

Check out our new merch today!

May 29, 2014

From Strangers to Siblings

Much like NASA, we here at Marking Our Territory look for “The Right Stuff” in our new recruits. The road-trip-test is one of the toughest challenges and I’m happy to report Penny passed with flying colors. Just one week ago, Eko wasn’t sure Penny had what it took to join our
Much like NASA, we here at Marking Our Territory look for “The Right Stuff” in our new recruits. The road-trip-test is one of the toughest challenges and I’m happy to report Penny passed with flying colors. Just one week ago, Eko wasn’t sure Penny had what it took to join our crew. When Penny eagerly introduced herself to Eko for the first time I hoped it would play out like a chummy Disney movie. Instead, Eko played the part of Clint Eastwood with a matching growl and scowl.

My best decision of last week was the decision to do nothing. I didn’t try to coax Eko into proximity to Penny and made no changes to Eko’s schedule. He got his usual runs and walks. In his own time Eko chose to try out a romp with Penny. Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, adventure, marking our territory, pet-friendly, blog

I was a bit nervous at first and thought Eko might overwhelm or injure Penny. I worried a rough first outing with Eko would make Penny timid around him in the futureRhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, adventure, marking our territory, pet-friendly, blog

“Me, too rough? Never! Just giving Penny a hug”

The two had a great time wrestling and I was happy to see Eko warming up to Penny. And despite getting beat up by Eko, Penny had no qualms about venturing into the mouth of the lion.

Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, adventure, marking our territory, pet-friendly, blog

It looked like Penny was Eko’s dentist

Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, adventure, marking our territory, pet-friendly, blog

“Glad to see you’ve been brushing”

After that initial encounter, Penny and Eko really hit it off. Where Penny once steered clear of the big grouch, she now follows Eko wherever he goes. Eko has also been great about not overwhelming Penny.

Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, adventure, marking our territory, pet-friendly, blog

While Penny always goes full tilt, Eko dials it back to make sure the little tot doesn’t get hurt 

While Eko was delighted to romp with Penny, at my mom’s he still preferred to keep the whole couch to himself. Last night when we got home it was more of the same. Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, adventure, marking our territory, pet-friendly, blog

Can you spot Penny?

Although she had been shut down before, Penny boldly squirmed up to the futon. Eko growled and grumbled as expected. But then… Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, adventure, marking our territory, pet-friendly, blog

He let Penny curl right up!Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, adventure, marking our territory, pet-friendly, blog

Eko even let Penny use him as a pillow

I hoped Eko and Penny would take to one another, but after their first encounter I never expected things to go this well this soon. I have no doubt these two will have plenty of challenges as they learn to live together, but I’m thrilled last week’s strangers are now siblings!

Comments for From Strangers to Siblings

  1. This made me soooo happy it brought tears to my eyes!! I know Eko is gonna be a great big brother and Penny deserves props for being one fearless girl!

  2. your pictures are wonderful, how sad that the time flies and they are puppies just for a short time :o) bet Penny’s career aspiration is dentist :o)

  3. Emmadog says:

    Oh, they are just adorable and it looks like they are having some great fun! Love seeing her under the couch…that is what Bailie would do and still does if she thinks I don’t want her around. Glad to hear the road trip went well too.

  4. Victoria says:

    love the pic on the futon -that is so cute and heartwarming! They are going to be best buds! You guys are going to have a great time – didn’t see any pics w/Emily – did she get to spend anytime getting to know Penny? or is Eko jealously guarding Emily for himself? We had that happen when we got our second pup – it was ok for Muff to get extra attention from my son but not from me – Rigs wouldn’t have it – now he is ok w/it but he didn’t like it at first!

  5. I’m reading and taking notes! You let them sort it out at their own pace – noted!! You kept Eko to his usual routine – lots of attention and exercise – noted!! It appears to be working well 🙂

  6. meANXIETYme says:

    So happy the family is bonding and doing well. I love seeing ALL these pictures…it’s so sweet! Congrats on a terrific intro!

  7. OMG! Those pictures are ridiculous! Penny is a great dentist. She really gets in there – all the way in! What a perfect start to the perfect family!

  8. Elyse says:

    Penny can be my dentist, too!

  9. Misaki says:

    Hahaha love the pic of her with her head in Eko’s mouth!! And so great that they have finally bonded so well:-)

  10. OhMelvin says:

    This is all kinds of awesome! So excited for this duo!

  11. Priceless photos of a relationship in bloom…..who could ask for more? I’m so happy.

    Pam

  12. I think these two will be best friends. They really reminds me of what it was like when we first got Dottie. Boomer was standoffish and then let her cuddle and they played from sun up till sun down with lots of naps in between.

  13. raisingdaisy says:

    It’s so wonderful to see Eko warming to Penny! (Penny was my second dog’s name, by the way. She was a black lab mix.) Those “playing dentist” pics are hysterical and the cuddly ones are so heartwarming! I think you’ve got the start of a wonderful little family there. 🙂

  14. Holy crap those too are doing so great together and just love all the photos, those are great shots, I thought the hug one was great until I saw the dental one, omg is all I can say how sweet.

  15. Aw, that last picture is perfect. I’m glad that everything is going well between them.

  16. terrimm says:

    That second picture of Eko giving Penny a hug is just priceless! Almost has me contemplating a little sister for Moo.

  17. *HIGH FIVE PAWS* all round!! We are thrilled to see how well Eko and Penny are bonding and those photos are just too darn cute!
    Wally & Sammy

  18. Dottie Wells and Tuffy-Cat says:

    Love seeing those two together! They have certainly sped up the bonding. I guess once you look down another dog’s throat, you get to know them pretty darn well. You are a genius with the timing on your photo shoots, and such perfect tag lines.
    Dottie and Tuffy-Cat

  19. OMG these pictures make my heart melt 🙂

  20. love the photos of Eko and Penny together 🙂

  21. Boomdeeadda says:

    Oh heavens, that is just heart thumping cute. Congratulations on their blooming friendship, I didn’t think it’d take too long. Eko’s a dream and Penny’s too cute to resist. t have a whole month of beautiful photo’s to catch up on. We’ve been packing and organizing our who house as in new paint and new carpet. Moving tomorrow.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Follow Us on Instagram

@markingourterritory