The Socialization of Spritzer : Part II

For prior entries see (Having pets)

Today 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!

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 together.

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.