If you’ve missed the saga of Missy, the Mystery Dog, she has her own page under “pages” to the right. You can catch up and read her story, and how she came to join us, as much as I know.
She has completely and totally adapted to my tribe, or pack, or whatever you want to call us. She is a little leery of Dakota, the Alpha female, after the non-injury threats to put Missy in her place and teach her who is who in the hierarchy. Dakota has accepted her as one of her own, willing to groom her, if Missy would allow.
Right now, there are four of us who are miserable. Missy is going through her first heat. I have two intact males. All my time is spent making sure Gideon and Bear are inside when I let Missy out, and Missy is inside when they want out, and that Missy is in the bedroom when both are in, except when everyone is eating, which means Missy is in the bathroom, Gideon is in the bedroom, and Bear, Dakota and mellow Miranda are in the great room. Got that? Yes, the dance gets complicated – way more than I’d like. I thought of changing the feeding places to accommodate this new condition, but I really want as much consistency and routine as they like.
What amazes me, is that despite the very strong call of her instincts, minding and pleasing me come first. She is so wonderful. The dance of moving her from the bedroom to the bathroom for eating, passing through the great room past two intact males is accomplished with no problems. I carry a spray bottle, just in case. Never had to use it.
Missy has always required twice as much attention as all four of my others combined … she is young, and she is a Border Collie. Even this has doubled. I thought I had infinite patience, but at least once a day, I have to tell her to go lay down in her own bed and leave me be.
It looks like I am in for another week! It is like having three toddlers and a couple of teenagers in the house. Sleep is hard to come by! Bear has torn off the trim in the bathroom, bent my back screen door, and otherwise caused havoc. Gideon spends a lot of time “marking” his territory – inside – and I am spending an inordinate amount of time spraying a natural odor eliminator, and cleaning up. My whole life seems to be centered on this dance, and if I shared ALL the details of keeping this dance going, most, if not all of you, would say TMI! TMI!
Yes, we are going to the vet for spaying. I’ve heard owners should wait 2-3 months after a heat. I will, but I’m not going through this again! Oh, goddess, please let it stop! I really need to sleep sometime this month!
Ah Spring. Just when I thought menopause would take care of all the nonsense… back again!
I’m so proud of you. My huge chocolate Lab I found in the Blue Ridge mountains was intact, too. Boy what an uproar on Carmel Beach when people noticed! Like I was with Attila the Hun. Like I lit a cigarette in a restaurant next to a nursing mother! And a more loveable, happy, and less intruding dog never existed. But I also found appreciation and praise.
This is a delight to read, and I’ve missed the Missy updates. Total joy despite the agony, the Tribe of Kate. I picture Missy so pleased with herself that she had the wisdom to find you.
I had around 100 cats in Brooklyn over 3 decades, all rescued, as many as 7 dogs once who’d all had surgeries, but I do not believe in castration. I just kept the boys on one end of the house, girls on the other. They’d sing to each other across the floors sometimes. There are animals you are so especially in love with you want them to have babies. You may feel that way (after this exhausting episode) some day about Missy and one of your other babes.
I too am very glad to read about Missy, pleased that she is a permanent member of your pack, and so sorry that you’re going through this one (and only!) heat. Many years ago I adopted a young abused dog, and two weeks later she had 8 puppies in my office. Oh, the things we do for love! Missy is so lucky to have found you! Thanks for being the person you are and loving her back.
I felt that way about Gideon, so I got him Dakota. They had TEN! I kept two. After step-mothering ten, for six weeks, I spayed Dakota and daughter, Miranda. I’m too old for more kids! LOL
bigsurkate, on a mountain top in Big Sur
We share many experiences. The worry and care of new litters, but in some ways I miss it! Watching the new lives, their incredible beauty, their incredible play.
I also understand. There’s a time in one’s life when endless cleanups and feedings are just part of life and then wondering if you can ever own an upholstered chair or a rug or clean bedding nag at some vision. And where all the money goes. At the very end of massive pets (I moved to Virginia with only 27 remaining cats, the dogs had passed away and two adoped, a year before I found my choc Lab Rodin) I had a house with ‘things’ in it for the first time in my life along with living things. I’m glad your babies had that litter. I know I’d have died for any one of mine, and miss them all. I love new Missy with you.
Oh my goodness! I can picture it!!!! There’s always some kind of dance going on with fur friends, but Oh my! This has got to be like the wildest party ever, Kate….. I’m counting down the days with you.
I’ve never had a dog, only cats. What are the reasons for keeping male dogs “intact’ rather than neutering them? just asking …
In this case, it was because when the vet went to neuter my pound rescue, Gideon, he went into cardiac and respiratory arrest. It took 1/2 hour to rescuitate him, and took him days to find his back legs. The vet gave him a waiver and suggested he NEVER go under anesthesia. Since he couldn’t get fixed, I didn’t bother with Bear, just made sure to fix my females, which will be Missy’s fate, as well.
bigsurkate, on a mountain top in Big Sur