Kindling

Tuesday was sunny but kind of marred (or made real depending on your life philosophy) by a small sadness. Scully was unusually jumpy when she turned up. The noises that go with washing pots and cutlery in a stainless steel sink had her constantly startling and looking ready to run or fight.

Never-the-less we had our usual walk and I set about the next task I'd set myself. I gave Scully a beefbone to keep her occupied while I worked and the neighbours had gone out leaving their own two dogs (a big soft Rhodesian Ridgeback and a small soft Bulldog) with the gated run of their own place. We talk to their dogs over (or through) the fence when we go past and Scully dotes on Nela the Ridgeback.

Neighbours came back and opened their gates while Scully was crunching on her bone a good 50metres (and out of site behind buildings and caravan) away but suddenly Scully decided the Bulldog was a threat to her bone and raced next door and snapped at the Bulldog.

Shouting next door.

I don't condone or excuse what Scully did.  I thought she was better socialized. Neighbours came over later to tell me Scully is not welcome on their property. They know she's not my dog but it made me sad that her insecurities made a dark mark on my relationship with neighbours whom I value highly. It also made me sad that Scully knew she was in trouble and did 'apologetic' for hours afterwards.

At 1500 I cut short my work for the day and walked with Scully to the waterside where I watched her turn sticks into kindling, snap at bees and take a swim. Simple pleasures for both of us.

Scully's Mum and sisters are out at a sports prizegiving this evening so we are having some quiet time together.