I shouldn’t complain. I keep inheriting the care of dogs who were raised by women, and who prefer the company of women even if they accept living with me from day to day. TB, of course, spent his whole life with Mama Liberty, a lady in her seventies, and so that’s what he sees as a proper human with whom he should live.
Neighbor L – of S&L, not D&L – has been kindly washing my laundry for years, ever since she moved up here full time. When Torso Boy learned that Jeep rides are fun he started bugging me to take him with whenever he saw me suiting up to go somewhere, and he gets especially excited if I first sort out my laundry and load it in the Jeep. That most certainly means a trip to see the Nice Ladies. He loves L – a lady in her seventies, go figure – and he absolutely adores L’s 98-year-old mother. He seriously just wants to sit at her feet and worship her.
Rather to my surprise, he never gives me a hard time about coming back to the Jeep when it’s time to leave. But if I try to leave him in the Jeep without giving him his visit, he absolutely will give me a snarling argument. He does not consider that negotiable. I can leave him home, though he’ll pout. But as far as he’s concerned I can’t take him there and then leave him in the Jeep.
I like to look at it as a test of my own maturity, and don’t let it hurt my feelings. TB is a fine little guy and, as with Ghost, I accept the limitations of the relationship. But next time I’ll get a weanling. No more Uncle Joel the Dog Nanny. I was much closer to Little Bear.
Okay, but raising a pup involves about 12 months of absolute hell as you try to live with the insane little critter. At least it will make for great blog fodder!
What Ben said !
Sometimes most all of us dogs prefer and appreciate the company of girls. Statistical averages indicate it’s not a permanent condition.
Yes, I’ve had only one dog who ever preferred men on general principles. That was my bully-boy Robbie, who must have spent his first nine months of life with a mechanic or some other type of laborer before he was found wandering the streets and came to live with me. He would go insane over guys who smelled like tools, grease, leather, etc.
Most dogs do prefer women. Not your fault, Joel. Just life.
And I’m with Ben on raising a puppy. You lucked out with super-mellow LB, but don’t count on that next time!