A Girl and her Dog

Before Autumn came along Steve and I were practicing our parenting skills on our two dogs, Tinsley and Bindi. Tinsley is our 5 year old Australian Shepard. He is energetic, to say the least, and keeps Autumn moving. She loves to chase him, pull on his fur and throw her toys for him to retrieve. They have a mutual love for one another.

With Bindi it is a different story. Bindi is our 8 year old Beagle. Steve and I have had her since before we got married. She has been through births, deaths and 6 moves. She was a rambuncitous puppy, but has turned somewhat cranky in her old age. The last thing she wants to put up with is a toddler. Autumn adores her.

I think because Bindi plays hard to get Autumn craves her attention more. She walks around the house, usually following Bindi, repeating her name over and over. If Bindi jumps on the couch, Autumn crawls up there. If Bindi wanders outside, Autumn is usually following behind. There have been several occasions when I have had to pry Bindi's ear or tail out of Autumn's death grip. Thankfully, although putting up with Autumn is not Bindi's idea of a relaxing afternoon, she is patient with her. Although I have caught the occasional eye roll my way for assistance.

Up until recently Bindi did have a refuge, under the bed. She would sneak, or quickly run under the bed when she had had enough. Autumn would realize she was gone, walk around calling out her name a few times, and then immediately get distracted by something else. As is typical with one year olds. Unfortunately, for Bindi, this has all changed since Autumn has figured out her secret.

Upon realizing that Bindi has made a run for it, Autumn will immediately go to my husband or myself, take our hand and, while continuously repeating Bindi's name (so as not to forget the objective), will walk us to the bed that Bindi has chosen to hide under. We are then expected to evict Bindi from her safe place, so that play time may resume.

The first couple of times this happened, Bindi was mildly annoyed as she made her way out from under the bed. Now she has come to terms with her fate. She is Autumn's and Autumn is her's. It's just a girl and her dog.