Multi-Dog Joys

You'd think it was bigger things like vet costs, and food costs and extra messes, small tiffs between pack members and extra fur that would be burdensome in a multi-dog household. Well, I can tell you it's not the big things that drive me nuts, it's the little things.

It's warm out! Which means, Beckett will overheat easily with his thick northern coat, and Jinks being black could overheat easily too, so the fan needs to be on full blast so they can comfortably lounge. But having the fan on means Lemon, who although super furry herself, suddenly freezes, thus becoming really needy/grumpy. Of course the heat makes Beckett go "get away from me" if she tries to cuddle him. Then poor Daisy who is here, who is a short haired Chi who hails from California shivers her little bum off. Of course none of the dogs care to position themselves in the most comfortable spot as per where the fan is -instead it is based upon where I am-, so I'm left to sort out seating arrangements.

Point fan at Beckett, yet point it at Jinks (who now always seems to lay right at my feet) at the same time, while somehow making it so that Lemon and Daisy don't freeze. Oh, and for fun, make sure Chopin doesn't hog all the cool air, because he loves having his ears flap in the breeze. Most thankfully Peanut doesn't seem to care either way, though she still wants to play when the players are out for the count with the warmer weather.

Place a blanket on the warm side of the couch for Daisy to dig herself into, put a bed in the corner for grouchy Lemon to stay warm on -make sure she stays put. Pull Beckett's bed into the middle of the room so that he and Jinks can share, while she can sleep on my feet. Try not to move feet too much or Beckett will get up and pace, thus causing Peanut to go into bonkers play mode, thus causing Lemon to be a jerk, thus causing Jinks to figure she might be able to bug me into playing tuggie with her.

Move Chopin at least half a dozen times, since Beckett and Jinks are starting to pant hard while he's stealing the fan. Refill water bowls as necessary, causing the seating arrangement to somehow screw itself up again -how'd Daisy manage to get her bed all the way over to the other side of the couch in the 20 seconds it took to refill the water bowl?

Come on guys, it's not that hard.

So, suffice to say once everyone gets settled in I try my hardest not to move. Just stay very, very still and they will usually stay still too. I am looking forward to having a larger living room in my new rental. Hopefully we can more craftily place fans and beds to allow for cooler places and warmer places.

For the next few days we'll be slowly working on Chopin's only-dog skills. Today was his first small outing with no doggy company and he was a bit of a scaredy mess. I'm hoping he will go to a multi-dog home, he truly takes all his cues from his pack. Not that he couldn't be an only dog, just that I think he'd be happier with some guidance.

More soon.
Emily Out