She watches me.
And waits for me at the door if I go outside, eschewing her spot on the couch.
And then she locks me out!
SERIOUSLY. She locks the back door. Good thing I have the front door unlocked during the day. AND WILL FROM NOW ON.
She sits with me if I go to the couch, and she sleeps at the foot of my bed. I’ve lived here by myself for nearly a year now (if you don’t count Morgan, who is mostly not here because she is in sports). I don’t think I realized that I missed some companionship until Gwen sat down on the couch next to me. I think I love her.
The more time I spend with her, the more I discern tiny differences between her and Coco and Chloe. When breeders sell Pyrs, they sell them for show, livestock guardianship, and home companionship. I always wondered how they can tell the difference, what role they are best suited for in their lives. All the puppies look the same! Coco and Chloe were both presented for livestock guardianship. Gwen looks like, you know, a Pyr. But already I can see the small differences in her behavior. She is more interested in me than what is outside the door. She doesn’t bark to the same degree–she’s not trying to ward off predators, she’s only alerting if she hears something. It’s interesting to watch these differences in her after living with Pyrs for so long.
Meanwhile, back in the horse paddock, I’m counting “zero time” with Shortcake. Meaning, this doesn’t count. I’m finishing my book and we’re “on a break” as far as our little catching problem goes. I’ve been taking peppermint treats to Zip every night and acting like Shortcake doesn’t exist. Tonight, I had to laugh when she came up behind me, within a few feet, and asked for one. I held it out in the palm of my hand and asked her if she wanted to come get it. She did. Then I gave another one to Zip, then another one, acting like she was the queen of the world, and walked away without even looking at Shortcake again. Ha. Man, I love that little horse.
Someone asked about the signs by the gate to the front barnyard.
There are two. The signs are up because I do open my farm to the public on occasion. One is a No Smoking sign. Don’t be burning my barn down. The other is a sign in compliance with West Virginia law regarding equine activity and liability protection. Another copy of this sign hangs in the alleyway of the barn. Don’t sue me! Cuz–you can’t! But by law, I have to tell you by posting the signs listing the WV code protecting horse owners from lawsuits.
brookdale says:
Oh, what a cutie Gwen is! I’m curious, how in the world does she lock the door? Is she in cahoots with the cat who OPENS the door?
She will be a wonderful companion to you, I am sure. Hope she and the other dogs get along OK. Coco will show her who’s the top dog I bet.
Wonderful pics…thanks for posting them. Love the closeup of her sweet face.
On September 23, 2012 at 8:46 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
She reaches up with her paw and hits the bolt and it locks the door.
Re Coco and Chloe, I haven’t allowed them to be very close to each other yet. They are in the goat yard with the goats and sheep. I’ve only let them see her from afar. Everyone is well aware of each other’s presence, but the introductions will be gradual. Since Gwen won’t be working in the field, they just need to become familiar with her enough to where they are comfortable with her and focusing on their job, not on worrying about who she is.
On September 23, 2012 at 9:24 pm
lifeisgood/ Melinda says:
I have to ask….Does she like Judge Judy?
On September 23, 2012 at 8:49 pm
beforethedawn says:
Our first pyr would lock the door! He’d jump up and hit the deadbolt with his paw. The first time it happened, I was just tossing something into the trash and ended up having to hang out at the neighbors until my mom came to my rescue with spare keys. It was morning and I hadn’t showered and was not dressed to mingle!! Needless to say, I carried the keys with me after that.
Gwen is a doll, and that’s so awesome you found a house dog!
On September 23, 2012 at 9:28 pm
Heidi533 says:
What a sweet girl! I just got my first Pyr. puppy today.
On September 23, 2012 at 11:16 pm
emmachisett says:
Well, locking you out is ONE way of getting control of the remote!
On September 23, 2012 at 11:37 pm
Barbee says:
Tell her she has it backwards: She’s supposed to lock it when you are safely inside the door.
On September 24, 2012 at 12:05 am
bonita says:
Wow! Better than a housemate/husband. You’ll never have to ask, “Did you lock the back door, dear?”
On September 24, 2012 at 3:59 am
twiggityNDgoats says:
I am soooo happy she is with you. What a great loving companion she is and so clever too.
On September 24, 2012 at 6:46 am
KellyWalkerStudios says:
I am so glad you have her. And she’s lovely. You know what I have always said: “Life without a dog; is that even possible?”
On September 24, 2012 at 8:22 am
lavenderblue says:
So if she’s locking Suzanne out to get control of the remote, does that mean she DOESN’T like Judge Judy?
West Virginia is a smart state. New York doesn’t have many protections for farmers, I don’t believe. Plus we are a very litigious state. We just seem to like suing people. Rather than, you know, using common sense. Like, if you don’t like the smell of cow poop, don’t mess up the country by moving out there.
On September 24, 2012 at 8:40 am
fowlers says:
What a great looking pupppy:::mine turned 3 yesterday:: yes! by golly::were goons:: we went and got a new chewy and a new ducky:: and he got a little cupcake doggy treat::he’s my baby::all 88 pounds of him:::Congrats to both of you! she now has a “Forever Home” 🙂
Sandy
On September 24, 2012 at 8:42 am
lavenderblue says:
Do I sound a little bit bitter? Sorry! :airkiss:
On September 24, 2012 at 8:43 am
ibpallets (Sharon B.) says:
Yeah, well, my guess is she locked you out because she wanted to watch Animal Planet. I told you not to give her that remote…but did you listen…………..nah………..LOL
She has the sweetest face.
On September 24, 2012 at 8:56 am
FarmGrammy says:
Ahhh…. I wonder how it would be to have my five crazy cats AND a pyr puppy in the house. Poor doggie would probably be traumatized by stalking kittens and snarling tom cats. But I understand why a farmer/extension agent friend has six to guard his flocks of girls for wool and boys for lamb chops. They are absolutely charming.
On September 24, 2012 at 9:26 am
GA_in_GA says:
Gwen looks so sweet. But lurking behind those passive eyes is the mind of a devious remote controller commandeering Pyr!
I am so glad you found each other. Amazing that you were there when she needed you. 🙂
On September 24, 2012 at 9:42 am
Dbunny says:
One morning at 4:30, I went out to my garage in my nightshirt and Crocs (read: no pants)to take the trash to the garage trash dumpster. My Bernese Mountain Dog deadbolted me out! So here I am, locked in the garage with no pants. Garage door locked, front door locked. One extra-high window was slightly open with a security bar in place so no one could open it wider from the outside. What to do?
So I grab a shower curtain from my truck (that I was going to give to Goodwill), the stepladder, and a small rake I use when poop scooping, and paraded my toga self to the back yard. Ripped off the screen from the window in my fury. Could only fit my arm and the rake in, but did manage to flip the security bar out of the window track. Threw my fat butt through the window onto my kitchen cabinets.
I only open that window like 10 days a year. I don’t know what I would have done if it hadn’t been open.
I kept a key in the garage from then on! 🙂
On September 26, 2012 at 9:00 am