Puppyhood
A few days after we brought Neea-Kha home, we were off to the vets to make sure all systems were go and to learn about vaccination schedules, spaying and so on. Little girl was great -- new surroundings, more people to pet her -- life was good. Chris pronounced her to be in excellent health and a wonderful puppy, de-wormed her again, she didn't even blink when he took her temperature. Told us to come back in three weeks for her first set of shots. It was on this second visit that we learned of the possessive (territorial) trait that would stay with her all her life. In later years, it was tempered with wisdom (hers, not mine), but in a young dog the potential for danger was high. This day, we were seated at the vet's waiting to be called in. Another couple with a very large rottweiller sat in chairs across from us. Greg reached over to pet the dog and Neea-Kha gave an outraged squeal and jumped on the back of the rottweiller. Started nipping and clawing at that poor dog. Of course, she was leashed and it only took Greg seconds to lift her off but, wow... were we glad that dog was such a gentle guy. He could have just inhaled and that would have been it. Served as a good reminder to keep the leash short at times like this. She was so good at the vet's that day -- stood still while he examined her, didn't flinch when he gave her the shots; it was only after he had disposed of the needle seconds later, that she realized something had happened. She jumped around to face him looking very startled. She knew he had done something, just wasn't sure what. We'd find that she wasn't quite as trusting of the vet on subsequent visits.
Oh, the attention this little pup received. No matter where we went with her, people walking by stopped to pet her, people stopped their cars alongside the road and came over to see her, some shouted out their car windows as they drove by "what a beauty!"; once as we were walking under a bridge, a car on the bridge pulled over to the side (not sure I'd try that), three occupants got out and stood atop the bridge calling down to ask what breed she was, how old she was, remarking on her beauty. One day we were outside a busy shopping mall. Greg went into a store to make a quick purchase; Nee and I were just going to walk around while we waited (this little one was not real keen on sitting and waiting for anyone). We had just set out for our walk when a woman screamed from way across the other end of the parking lot. She made a beeline right towards us and as I was attempting to see what the problem might be, she ran up to us, scooped my pup up into her arms, kissing her, hugging her, almost suffocating her. Of course, I was firmly attached to the leash and I shortened it even more; I was afraid this woman was going to try to take off with my pup. I eventually had to reach in front of this woman to extricate Neea-Kha from her grip; woman's saying..but she's so CUTE, Bev saying, excuse me ma'am but you need to let go of her NOW! - at which point she did. I was kinda shaken up and carried Nee back to the car to sit and wait for Greg.
That Neea-Kha had gotten used to this star treatment -- and expected it from everyone -- was evident on one of our outings. I had called Greg to let him know my optometrist appointment was finished and he could come and pick me up. He brought Neea-Kha along for the ride, and met me just as I was coming out the front door. I took Neea-Kha's leash and as we walked back to the car, an elderly couple passed by. They both smiled down at Neea-Kha as they passed by us, but were obviously not going to stoop down to pet her. Neea-Kha was absolutely stunned when they made their way past her without talking to, or petting, her. She stood stock still for a few seconds and as I directed her the other way, she turned around, ran (with me in tow) in front of those two folks and planted her backside firmly down in front of them. They weren't quite sure what to do as I scooped this little monkey up and apologized to them. Nee was really affronted as I carried her to the car, whining and carrying on. For a while after that, she didn't give anyone a chance to rebuff her; she'd maneuver herself in front of them before they could pass and just sit herself down squarely in front of them.
Oh, the attention this little pup received. No matter where we went with her, people walking by stopped to pet her, people stopped their cars alongside the road and came over to see her, some shouted out their car windows as they drove by "what a beauty!"; once as we were walking under a bridge, a car on the bridge pulled over to the side (not sure I'd try that), three occupants got out and stood atop the bridge calling down to ask what breed she was, how old she was, remarking on her beauty. One day we were outside a busy shopping mall. Greg went into a store to make a quick purchase; Nee and I were just going to walk around while we waited (this little one was not real keen on sitting and waiting for anyone). We had just set out for our walk when a woman screamed from way across the other end of the parking lot. She made a beeline right towards us and as I was attempting to see what the problem might be, she ran up to us, scooped my pup up into her arms, kissing her, hugging her, almost suffocating her. Of course, I was firmly attached to the leash and I shortened it even more; I was afraid this woman was going to try to take off with my pup. I eventually had to reach in front of this woman to extricate Neea-Kha from her grip; woman's saying..but she's so CUTE, Bev saying, excuse me ma'am but you need to let go of her NOW! - at which point she did. I was kinda shaken up and carried Nee back to the car to sit and wait for Greg.
That Neea-Kha had gotten used to this star treatment -- and expected it from everyone -- was evident on one of our outings. I had called Greg to let him know my optometrist appointment was finished and he could come and pick me up. He brought Neea-Kha along for the ride, and met me just as I was coming out the front door. I took Neea-Kha's leash and as we walked back to the car, an elderly couple passed by. They both smiled down at Neea-Kha as they passed by us, but were obviously not going to stoop down to pet her. Neea-Kha was absolutely stunned when they made their way past her without talking to, or petting, her. She stood stock still for a few seconds and as I directed her the other way, she turned around, ran (with me in tow) in front of those two folks and planted her backside firmly down in front of them. They weren't quite sure what to do as I scooped this little monkey up and apologized to them. Nee was really affronted as I carried her to the car, whining and carrying on. For a while after that, she didn't give anyone a chance to rebuff her; she'd maneuver herself in front of them before they could pass and just sit herself down squarely in front of them.