I had no idea if being a single
dog would have any effect on Mac but it was noticeable. He started withdrawing
and seemed to spend more time on his own in the study. He stopped coming into
the bedroom and I realised that the only time he had ever come into the bedroom
was when Emma was already there. I decided to give him some time as I was just
too miserable to work him out and for the second time around, we were healing
each other.
The acceptance did not take long and
right now the single life for him seems very attractive. He has grown
emotionally and his confidence has sky-rocketed!
He stands alert (albeit in the
passageway) when he hears Charlie’s car come down the driveway and then goes to
lie down for the inevitable biscuit. He gets hysterical when the twins are
here, wanting to play with them but nervous of them too and he plays volley
ball with all of us. He progressed from staying out of sight in the study to
lying on Emma’s cushion behind the couch. As soon as I heard him creep to this
spot I would throw treats over the back of the couch to land where he was
lying. (If we got up he would scuttle back into the study) until I invited him
back. Next month will be the 5th anniversary of Mac’s arrival and he
now lies at our feet in the lounge - a massive breakthrough and a wonderful
feeling over something usually so normal.
Final hurdle: he will seek me out
on his own accord instead of me always inviting him.
The thought of a new puppy is a
constant in the back of mind. My husband would prefer not to get another dog
but if I really have to ............ “then it has to be a Border Collie, a
puppy, so no dog with a history please”. The other members of my family would
also like me to get a BC as I’m a Border
Collie Person - what is that? I have already turned down a choice from 3 BC litters so what is holding me back? “You will know when it’s the right dog!” Really? How? Why? Will I find a BC that has been as perfect as what I have and have had? Is a big - (slightly larger than small but not a Great Dane) dog the answer for me? I really struggled with lifting Emma; Over 60 and with compromised strength in my arms, suggests a smaller dog might be the better option and why is my family dictating what breed I should get when a working dog is my main criteria?
Time is passing and my ‘Emma shadow’ is missed on a daily basis, but I
know the new dog, whatever, it is, will be the right dog for me, I hope it
finds me soon, Mac needs a pal.
With this life altering decision whirling around in my head........ having
Puppy Academy literally on his doorstep is Mac’s favourite hour of his week. He is an honorary
member and on his best behaviour with them, but for now, it’s just ...........
Mac and Me
C’est la vie