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Sunday, April 12, 2009

The Socialization of Spritzer : Part II

For prior entries see (Having pets)

DSC07930Today Camillo, Spritzer and I are not only celebrating Easter but we are celebrating our 2nd month’s anniversary together. I know when my daughter Patty and granddaughter Marissa read this they will laugh themselves silly because Camillo and I have never wanted a dog.   Maybe I have to say I didn’t want a dog and Camillo agreed with me.   We (I?)  have not wanted our lives to be determined by the needs of a dog.  We also never agreed on how a dog should be treated. I thought a dog should be in the house with the ‘family’ and Camillo said ‘NEVER’ a dog should be outside and ‘NEVER’ should come inside. So we just never had a dog. To tell the truth I didn’t miss having a pet. We travel, taking several extended trips each year and every month would spend at least two long weekends in Rio, we get up and go to bed when we want, there has been no confinements, restrictions put on our time, our house stays clean, our garden immaculate. And now!

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You have to visualize our lives now – AD or after dog. I haven’t been to Rio except for 2 days since Spritzer moved in. We went for an overnight to Teresopolis, and one very fast overnight to Macaé but in all cases hurried home because ‘the dog is alone’. Camillo is continuing to make his three or four day trips into Rio, I am home babysitting. Camillo is upstairs now taking his usual after dinner nap and guess what…. you’ll never guess…. Spritzer is up sleeping on the floor beside the sofa…. taking his nap also. From the time they get up in the morning until late evening, they are never separate. If Camillo is in the house – Spritzer is in the house. (Are you seeing the irony here?) They play out in the garden, several potted plants have been upturned. The grass is littered with sticks and chewed up balls. The monkey grass is Spritzer favorite hiding place – he doesn’t know we can see his ears sticking up above the tall grass. He hides his toys and bones in the grass – it is starting to look somewhat raggedy. They play mean dog – and fetch – and are learning to walk on leash and to get in and out of the car – They need their naps DSC07932together.

I want to be sure you understand me – I don’t mind this togetherness, I think it is really cute. Camillo must have always wanted a dog and I don’t think I have laughed so hard as I have this past month at their antics. If Spritzer is hungry, if I start rattling pans to cook, he comes and lies at my feet, but otherwise he can’t stand to be separated from Camillo.  I know when Camillo leaves in the morning for 4 days in Rio – Spritzer will hide in the dog house until at least dinner time – then he will be desperate, roaming the house trying to figure out why he (we) are alone. You might think that this is a time for us to bond – beyond dinner being served – but I think he is mad at me because Camillo is gone….. All this said - Spritzer’s bonding with Camillo was necessary to get past his fear of humans. I think this has happened very quickly. He will ‘come’ (aqui) and almost ‘sit’ on command. He conquered the spiral staircase from the utility to the kitchen. He will go find his ball (which means the empty coke bottles, bones, plastic or rubber balls) so he can play fetch. He plays keep-away with enthusiasm – he is almost completely socialized. Now we will start to focus on manners.

 

8 comments:

  1. Happy Dog-a-versay!! (UGH, that was soooo corny, no?).
    What a handsome devil.....does he get into much? My Sadie just digs everywhere in the yard!! Yikes, that's so annoying but then when I have a chat with her about it she always looks so sorry and licks my face and well........I can't stay mad at her for long :) Poor Prince has had to put fencing around just about everything in the yard....which is a lot of fencing, lol. I tell him the work out is good for him.
    Hey GingerV.......tell Camillo I said he was looking pretty hot in that snap you sent of the men in your life....seriously girl. He's a hottie :)
    (I would say to tell him that his behind looks nice in that video but I wouldn't want you to think me too forward, lol)

    Steady On
    Reggie Girl

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  2. What a cute post. I agree with you; dogs belong in the house. That is why, when our Yellow Lab died, 4 years ago, we decided not to get another dog. We were tied down 27/7 for 14 years. Before that, we had another dog who tied us down for about 12 years.

    Of course, one of us was always free to go. My work took me away for weeks at a time. But we could never "go" together.

    We have always had house cats, but they don't care if you go away for a few days as long as they have their grub. And when you go shopping you don't have to start watching the time.

    I love dogs, and if one found me and looked at me right, I would be a dog owner again. But for now, we are both trying to catch up on all those years of being tied down.

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  3. I always mean to tell you thank you so much for listing the "Friday Shoot-Out" folks on your blog GingerV. That is so sweet of you......I'm awful at not having enough time. I guess I need to retire as well, lol (and Prince just said FAT CHANCE!! to that one)
    Hey, check out Sarah Lulu @ Normal is a Cycle on a Washing Machine. She has joined us from Australia and her picy's are fabulous as well!!

    Steady On
    Reggie Girl

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  4. Reggie Girl and Patty, sorry for the delay in posting your comments, I didn't get an email like usual, today when I opened the blog said there were comments to Moderate??? so I did. thanks for the contribution.., Reggie girl don't flirt with my Hubby I am too old to hunt another one down.

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  5. We came so close to getting a dog in Jan. I am so glad we didn't. Harry has a 25 lb. very spoiled 8 year old cat. That's enough for me! But BTW handsome husband and dog!

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  6. Gingerv!!!!! I'm not flirting with your hubby.......I'm saying to you "You go girl, you with your hot hubby"........
    I'm just sayin........
    So nice to hear your voice Sunday night and what a surprise. You made my Easter complete and I thank you so very much :)

    Steady On
    Reggie Girl

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