I have to start by saying..excuse the rope around Betty's neck....I had forgotten her leash when we were away this weekend and was afraid she might run off.
This is Betty Jane, our 11 year old chocolate lab. She is so photogenic, especially if I can just get her to hold still!! As you can see, she is really showing her age, those gray whiskers. You can even start to see her eyes are becoming cloudy..probably cataracts. She has been bumping into a lot of things, and banging her head.., though she never seems to bothered by it. Recently, she had a hard time finding her way in the garage and wound up in the corner, instead of by the kitchen door.
When we brought Betty Jane home from the breeder's house, we had no idea what we were facing...we had gotten Peggy Sue, a yellow lab from this same farm and Peggy was such wonderful dog, we knew we would return to Barbara, for our next pet.
However, Betty turned out to be a handful! The breeder stretched the truth a bit about her age. When we got the paperwork in the mail a few weeks later, we learned that she was close to one year old, the breeder had said she was six months. For those of you that have had puppies, you know how that first year can really determine the outcome of the behaviors of the pet.
Well, Betty had not been socialized, I think she had pretty well been ignored, not mistreated, just not socialized. She was afraid of everything..just the sight of our kitchen stove startled her! She didn't understand the steps. She was reluctant to go outside and then when we finally got her out, she was hesitant to come back in. She was terrified of strangers and would alternately bark loudly at them, or run and hide. Always unpredictable, I was afraid to let her around other people or dogs, not trusting her behaviors.
Three years of constant struggle with her..just getting her to the Vet's office was a huge undertaking requiring, two adults and a strong child finally resulted in a really good dog..actually it has probably taken seven or eight years, but as she has gotten older she has settled down. She still hates other dogs and I have to keep her separated..she does adore her cousin, Peggy Sue. In fact, she has always loved Peggy, she is constantly seeking Peggy's approval...Peggy just tends to ignore her!
The kids have left home, Ashley taking Peggy with her. Peggy is now 14 years old, which is a milestone for a Lab Retriever!
The house is quiet, except for the gentle sound of snoring, as Betty sleeps!
And my husband and I have promised each other, in fact we "pinkie-finger shook" on it...NO MORE PETS!!!! When Betty is gone, there will be NO MORE!!!
I have gotten over the "empty nest thing" with the children..I will get over the "empty dog bed thing" with the pets!
At least I hope so!!!
Click on Puppy Love! Link on the right!
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