I took the mutts (yes, they are! Chloe is a Lab/Dachshund mix, and we all know what Micah is!) in for shots yesterday. What a riot! Their personalities are so...marked. Take Chloe for example. Put a leash on her, and she has more energy than a cat set in water. It's controlled energy, but energy still. She sits still to have the lead attached, then heads for the door..and I do mean heads. She leads with her face, and you can't really dissuade her too easily from the course she has chosen. Open the front door, and she's off! She doesn't run away with you...too much training for that. She does head out with conviction though. I got her in the car - suburban, mind you - with a little encouragement to hoist herself up the step. She settles herself down on the floor, and waits. With great anticipation.Micah is another story. He doesn't know yet the joy of being on a leash. He hasn't experienced traversing sidewalks, exploring parks, and going camping. What he does know is that if Chloe gets to do it, he should, too. So, if she's going out that front door, he isn't going to be left behind. In fact, he's going to lead the parade! Bring a leash out, and all he sees is a new chew-toy. So, it took a minute to disengage his teeth from the clip in order to have a handle on a wayward child. He has a new trick of trying to throw himself from your arms if you are carrying him and he sees something fascinating...so you really need 3 hands to keep him safe. NOW, imagine me, 2 excited dogs, 2 hands, and 2 leashes. It was soo...exasperating to try to get them going in the same direction at the same time. Fortunately, I had the foresight to put Micah's crate in the car first so I could round him up pretty quickly. God is good, that's all I can say!
Now...our arrival at the vet. Let's not sidestep the lovely 5 minute journey with Micah howling in the crate because he doesn't know what's going on, and what delights he might be missing. I am SO thankful for a vet that's only blocks away! Let's also not forget my surprising look into the rear view mirror to see Chloe hanging out the open window behind me, which I thought to be closed since it was a whopping 50*! Try rolling up an automatic window from the driver's seat, while the dog is standing on the control in the back! Mission accomplished, car parked, and puppy drug from a crate he now doesn't wish to exit.
We arrive with 2 dogs furiously wagging their tails and running together. Open the door. Walk inside, purse in one hand with the handle now breaking, and 2 dogs in the other. Here.. the fun begins. Chloe lopes in, takes one sniff, tucks her tail, turns around, and promptly RUNS for the closing front door. Micah wiggles in, sees something new, plants his feet, and barks to beat the band, then he decides it's time to investigate, and hang the consequences. Poor Chloe lost out, the door closed just a hair in front of her nose. No escape. Nowhere to hide. No understanding from that woman with the dangling, spilling purse or that rat fink puppy who just won't be quiet. In fact, the pup just wants to run about the room and yap! How unsettling! I can see her mind going: Perhaps I can use my bulk and drag us from the room???? MOM! Get me outa here!!!
The rest of the visit was...less eventful. Chloe tried to hide behind me, under me, or perhaps even under the flooring. After a bit, she settled down with her head as close to my lap as she could get it with mournful eyes of reproach. Micah decided to check out the room, one object at at time. He never did quite understand that red lead around him...just an inconvenience at times. He did love to perch confidently in my lap, like a king surveying his kingdom from time to time. He spent the most time with the Vet. It seems he has "puppy mange" and needed a skin biopsy to have it confirmed. Chloe had to be taken back, well, truth-be-told, carried back, for a very short time. It seems she needs to lose a few pounds, the winter was VERY kind to her.
The ride home was quieter. Chloe was most grateful to enter the car again. Micah only howled 1/2 way home. The were both rewarded with a short stroll around the block, then a lovely nap. The nap, truthfully, was more for me than them. I was exhausted!
Personalities are amazing things. Some of us are bold, some timid, some love change, some dread it with a passion. Some are adventurous, some quiet and unassuming. Some confident, some cowardly. God makes us all individually, not from a set mold. We are unique. So are our animals. I love how Micah brings out the fun side of Chloe, and I really appreciate the patience and forbearance she has with him. I love his boldness, inquisitivity, and connivery. He's quite the manipulator. They are both good for us. I see myself in some of these qualities (I won't confess which ones) and I see the ones that need refining. Praise God, He is the one conforming me into the image of Christ. I would hate to have my dear friends have to put their hands around my muzzle and say, firmly "don't bite!"
