13 November 2001

The dog saga continues...written Monday evening, November 12th:

I didn't choose to have a dog. In general, I dislike dogs. "Dogs have masters, cats have staff"... I'd much prefer to be serving on the staff of an affectionate cat than worrying about satisfying the needs of an overly emotional dog.

Matt, Scott, and Susan all wanted one. Susan specifically wanted a "puppy", not necessarily something that would grow to become a dog.

Susan and Scott got it on Friday night. They called me from the car on their way to get the dog. I was driving 30 mph on I-405 near Long Beach, on my way back from 2 days in LA. A typical Friday afternoon commute in that neighborhood. Evidently, my reticence concerning the "dog" idea during previous discussions had been heard and cast aside.

It's a cute dog, part golden retriever and part chow chow, but I've read that chows are normally agressive dogs. Apparently breed temprament wasn't a consideration when they selected the dog; cuteness and cuddliness seem to have won out.

We discussed names over the weekend. Susan liked the name Bailey. I chose the spelling, Bayley, for obvious reasons. Scott uses Baylee. I doubt Matt has thought much about the spelling.

Now Scott has fallen in love with the dog, but he and Susan both have come to realize that it will demand time and attention that none of us will be able to give it. Scott also has several scratches and bite marks on his hands and face from trying to hug the dog, etc, etc... Poor kid.

Matt likes the dog and wants to keep it, but hasn't been home enough to enjoy it. He's a busy kid.

I'm willing to give the dog (or another dog) a chance. It would probably be able to teach each one of us a valuable lesson or two. I have, however, made it clear that if the dog hurts one of the cats (or one of us), then it will suffer the consequences. Scott didn't like the sound of that and suggested that I find a better way to deal with it. Apparently, he doesn't like the steel-toed boot idea. Smart kid is he.

I've read that Chows are dignified, loyal to a fault, and "somewhat catlike" in their occasional aloofness. Those sound like good qualities in a dog. I liked our first dog, Cookie, but the experience did not convert me into a "dog person."

Obedience training for the dog would be nice. Dog-owner training (for us) would be nice too. None of us has the time for such things. Pity that wasn't considered prior to Friday night. Perhaps now we should make the time, if we decide to keep her.

Susan is leaning toward bringing it to the pound tomorrow (Tuesday). She says that the kids are leaning the same way. Bayley was chasing cats this afternoon (Monday).

Maybe we'll get another cat.

I've heard that house cats are much like their larger cousins. Perhaps we'll be able to watch the dominant male (Snickers), whose instinct might be to kill the infant kitten, versus the protective female (Jazzy), who would probably fight to the death against Snickers's agression, if he shows it. Should be interesting...

DWL