Lucky visits Auntie Carol.....

   We recently returned from an extended trip South where we enjoyed some sun and warm weather, a get away from what seemed to be a never ending winter in norther New England. As we have on several other trips recently, Lucky, our poodle, joined us on the journey. He has grown to be fairly well behaved and enjoys riding in the car, no matter how long or short the ride. This was going to be a long ride, with several overnight stops along the way at 'pet friendly' hotels before reaching our final destination. His preference...  the Marriott chain. (and besides, I get points toward future stays.)

   The trip home would be similar with one exception. We were going to spend an extra day or two visiting family in New Jersey and would be staying at Auntie Carol's house. Auntie Carol has never owned a dog and is somewhat cautious around them. Uncle Bill, on the other hand, has often expressed interest in getting a dog, perhaps a hunting dog.

   As we rounded the corner and approached their home, we had a very stern talk with Lucky about how we expected him to behave. He picked his head up off the seat, looked at us with sleepy eyes, seemed to ask if we were there yet, and settled back down to catch that 'last wink'..

   The first few minutes are very important for any 'dog greeting' and Lucky is no exception. Unless you prove otherwise to him, he assumes everyone is his friend and eagerly seeks approval. But jumping up on people is not always a good way to gain that approval and the next thirty seconds were going to be critical.

   With Auntie Carol in the doorway and a tree at the end of the driveway, Lucky had a decision to make. After the long ride he choose to stake out his territory with the tree first and then greet her, and he did OK. After all, he had a lot to prove.

   Within a few minutes and glad to be out of the car, he raced around the house, playing with her grandchildren. What better way to show how 'good' he could be, allowing the grand kids to climb all over him and allowing them to play with 'his' toys. He even helped them clean up, picking up their socks off the floor and........Auntie Carol, it's only a game of 'catch me if you can'.

    Even with all the play, he would stop whatever he was doing and move to within an arm's reach of Auntie Carol, hoping she would pat him on the top of his head, or better yet, give him a doggie treat. It didn't take long for her to learn the routine. After all, who could resist the look from those dark, loving eyes. He was training her well.

   The next step would be to place his head in her lap, so she didn't have to reach quite as far to pat him on his bushy, curly head. That probably would have been better to do not after a fresh drink of water, though.

    Lucky is a standard sized poodle, but for his size and weight he can be quite graceful and on several occasions he took the opportunity, when everyone was busy and paying no attention to him, to demonstrate his grace, by carefully and quietly sneaking away to the corner of the sofa in the living room. After all, it was nap time!

   Back in the family room, Lucky would, periodically, glance at Uncle Bill as if to ask...”How am I doing? Do we have her convinced ? Is she ready to give in yet?

   That first evening he demonstrated his ability and skills as a guard dog, barking quietly at the noise and conversation of those passing by the house after dark. We are speaking of New Jersey here. Doesn't everyone need a guard dog for protection?

   The next day we went for a short ride and Lucky was careful as he jumped in and out of Auntie Carol's car, making sure not to track in dirt or get into the box of tissues on the floor. Even Auntie Carol commented how well behaved he was in the car, especially as we raced down the Garden State Parkway, vehicles passing at breakneck speed on either side of us, his face glued to the window in fear?

   Dogs can be great companions and friends, just someone to talk to and I think during the time at Auntie Carol's, even she found it easy to engage him in dialogue, albeit one sided.

    It was soon time to leave and head back to Maine and I think the stop in New Jersey went well. He had behaved well, had shown just how good he can be. Had he done enough to convince her it might be OK for Uncle Bill to get a dog? He had given it his best shot and only time would tell.

   But it was time to get home. There would be squirrels waiting for him in the yard and the snow would finally be gone, at least I hoped it would be gone. And the ride..... just a few short hours, Lucky. Really!