Becoming a statistic, kind of
If all goes through, by next week I will be living in a two person, two kid, two car household. Except the other person will be my guy roomate, and the kids will be our dogs. It’s funny how you envision things happening and they come true, but not in the ways you thought they would. God is sneaky that way.
I interviewed the roomate and he seemed like a great guy. I have never roomed (or lived for that matter) with a guy before, so I’m a little apprehensive. I’m glad that he has a dog though, because I think it’s great that both of them will have company during the day. It will definitely take some adjusting – Tai is extremely territorial, and not exactly great with other dogs. When we’re out on a walk, it usually goes:
Me: Oh look honey, there’s a big ass labrador coming this way, be nice, ok? Be a good girl
Tai: Hackles raise up, crouches down
Me: Yeah, ok let’s go to the other side of the street, just in case. Tai, did you notice how she is bigger than you by a factor of 3?
Tai: Must. Protect. My. Territory. Labradors bad. They stinky.
Me (in a sing-song voice): I bet the lab is so nice, she looks so friendly! Crouches down to pet Tai. Good girl, good girl, be calm Tai. Mom loves you.
Tai: Glares at other dog.
Me: Oh sweetie, you are doing so well, you’re such a go— GAAAH
Tai: BARK — LUNGE — SNARL! Goes batshit crazy.
Me (under my breath): @#%#$^Q@#$!
Me (to other owner): Sorry! Your dog is SO lovely! Sorry about that, my dog can be a little… feisty sometimes. Did I say I’m sorry?
Tai: Looks back at dog. Pees.
I think that Tai wasn’t socialized properly when she was a little puppy, and the times she was in and out of the shelters made her nervous. She will attack pretty much any dog (including a poor lame AND blind dog whose owner had to pull her hind legs in order for her to walk. True story). There are a few dogs she *tolerates*, but I think having Bud (a Shihtzu!) will be good for her, and hopefully for him. When they met last week Tai growled a bit, but in general didn’t try to attack and maim Bud, which I see as a good sign.
I’m happy that the roomate is a very patient, calm guy. He was great with Tai and was very sweet and had a steadying influence on her. And Bud is just a darling; happy and easygoing. Although I have a feeling there will be more stories to tell before I can proclaim that we are all one big, happy household.
