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January 26, 2015

Eko’s New Normal

You can almost always pick out the experienced pet-people. They have a certain “been there, done that” stoicism and don’t sweat the small stuff. What friends might find extraordinary doesn’t even catch the attention of someone who lives it every day. It turns out people aren’t the only ones who
You can almost always pick out the experienced pet-people. They have a certain “been there, done that” stoicism and don’t sweat the small stuff. What friends might find extraordinary doesn’t even catch the attention of someone who lives it every day. It turns out people aren’t the only ones who adjust to the new normal of adding a pet to the family. Eko used to react to Penny’s every move. First he avoided her. Then he followed her to keep an eye on what she was doing. And if Penny ever jumped on Eko she was met with a resounding show of force. These days? Not so much. 26.1

Penny will try to drag Eko around by his collar to start a fight, but often he acts like he doesn’t even notice

26.2

Next, the little ankle biter tries another tactic to get attention, but Eko just stares her down

I think Eko’s learned a lesson all pet-people do; don’t reward unwanted behavior with attention. Eko wrestles when he wants to, but he knows when he doesn’t want to wrestle, ignoring Penny is the most effective tactic.

And just like Eko taught me “personal space” rules don’t apply to him, Penny’s taught the same lesson. My former space-hog now positions himself on the futon with the expectation he’ll be used as a pillow.

26.3

How times have changed

As if that wasn’t proof enough Eko’s a changed dog, he even lets Penny share coveted lap space.

26.4

Sure, they may cut off circulation to Emily’s legs, but she can’t help but smile

26.5

Whether human or dog, adding a new pup changes your “normal” 

26.6

Pen, you’re lucky you’re cute!

We all know how our pets change us, but Eko and Penny have taught me how much pets can change each other. If you have multiple pets I’m interested to hear any stories about what they’ve taught the other.

Comments for Eko’s New Normal

  1. I thought ankle biter look a little different hahahahaha… maybe Emily can take a hot bath to get her legs back to “normal” :o)

  2. meANXIETYme says:

    Yes, our Le Moo recognizes that ignoring Butthead is the best way to get her “leave me alone, kid” point across. What we didn’t expect was to see how Le Moo also taunts Butthead into playing with a butt-bump or an over-the-shoulder look.
    Le Moo also used to get up EVERY TIME Butthead settled next to her–touching her. Now Le Moo just heaves a sigh and looks at us dourly. Sometimes she gets up, but most of the time she just looks aggrieved and stays there, hoping Butthead will move on her own (which she does, usually, because Butthead doesn’t understand being still…ever).
    I do agree, everyone, including dogs, get used to a new “normal”.

  3. Sarah says:

    One by one we’ve added dogs….each one struggles for a place in the pack, and gets there by dint of personality and stubbornness….each personality is different: Hobbit won’t tolerate her place being challenged; Cinnamon is bottom-of-the-social ladder, sweet but always bossed around by the other two; Casey is the baby and pushy — “I’m the future and I know it! ” so move over, old ladies!

  4. dashlilly says:

    This is so funny because we have a friend who always says when Dash is snoozing comfortably and being his calm stable self but Lilly is being her attention seeking annoying little sister: “Oh Dash you were months away from life being calm and under your control but Lilly came along.” But even Dash knows that we wouldn’t have our family any other way… crazy little sister and all.

  5. coastingnz says:

    Totally agree – Ziggy was similar behaved with Nico, biting him, nudging him, getting into his bed, stealing his bed but now he knows he is loved just as much as Nico and they share the love with us. I love nothing better than having my loveable lumps up for a snuggle but dead legs oh yes – they weigh a tonne!

  6. Just when we thought Neeka was getting more tolerant of Khoi, he came into his hormones and won’t leave her backside alone. She’s spayed, but he doesn’t seem to care. If he even looks at her coyly, she growls. He doesn’t dare to take his interest any further.
    This past weekend we spent at the ranch with my dads 7mth mini-Aussie. Neeka taught manners constantly to socially inept Buzz. For once, Khoi could do no wrong. She was curled up with him with no complaints. She was thankful for her little brother.

  7. Nightshade says:

    Awww just look at them together!
    And indeed, with animals around the house, you get used to a different kind of “normal”! 🙂

  8. fredrieka says:

    just like having kids that is what momwithoutpaws says

  9. Another fantastic post (they all are!) Eko is beyond patient!! Cody has taught Dakota…”don’t start no s–t and there will be NO s–t!”

  10. derrycats says:

    I took in a sick feral kitten (7 months or so) who was days from death and needed many months of nursing…doing fine now. But she has had to learn about being an indoor cat and being around people from our other cats. A couple in particular have really been her buddies and she gains confidence from watching them interact with me. The little feral (Annie) has been with us a little over a year now, and I can finally pet her sometimes, but she hangs with the other cats and watches them interact and she is getting braver.

  11. Emmadog says:

    We often look back at life “pre-Bailie” and think of how different it was, but we wouldn’t change it for the world and she has become such a part of everything, it is amazing. Just like you guys!

  12. raisingdaisy says:

    We only have Daisy – we don’t have the stamina for multiple dogs! – but we sure do enjoy reading about your pups’ escapades together! 🙂

  13. Our dog likes to boss the cats around by barking at them (she’s a herder, too). The cats now just ignore her or bat her away! 🙂 Ellie

  14. We’re a single pet household but Sam’s constantly teaching HIS pets (us) new things……we’re very good now at “fetch” (bringing him things) and we owe it all to his training!

    Pam

  15. Kismet says:

    The fact that you never used “Penny” and “normal” in the same sentence did not go unnoticed.

  16. Love the ankle biting picture. Penny is like gman has to lay on someone all the time, usually it is Nellie but sometimes it’s Glory until she gets up and moves.

  17. Boomdeeadda says:

    those two (three including Penny) are just so cute. You’re a lucky guy Will.

  18. Ms. Penny is like a windup toy. Do you think Eko thinks she’s the Eveready battery of the dog world?! 🙂

  19. T&S says:

    First tought… cant write anything more than you wrote 🙂 same here with our RRs, calm male and playfull female 🙂 our male was the same like Eko when our female came, also a little bit jelaous first day. Now he loves her very much, but he also ignores her when he doesnt want to play.
    She is more active than him… and always wants to be near him, she loves to sleep wherever he sleeps, I think she needs him to be near her, absolutely adores him, and I think he knows that.

  20. I feel fortunate that Jack and Maggie have learned good traits from each other. Maggie has learned to be more confident – especially when big brother is around and Jack has learned he’s not the only dog in the house and it’s okay for Maggie to get attention – we still love him too.

  21. Marcela says:

    Lol. I love the way Eko looks while Penny is annoying him. So funny:-)

  22. The great thing is that Marty has taught Ralphie how to play and “loosen up” which is great. Abbe has taught Anne to be more confident and happy 🙂

  23. OhMelvin says:

    Compromise!! Good work Eko! Melvin opts to ignore Jake, i dont know how because Jake can be…persistant!

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