Neuman....

As you know, my critters are my family as well. I never get tired of them and they continue to bring me smiles and laughter every day. I really would be lost without them.

The dynamics of my three blue heelers is fascinating to watch. There's Lucy, mama and alpha of the pack, then Neuman from her second litter, and then little Petey (Sweet Pea) from the very last litter.

Neuman has always had such soulful eyes. My mom has always told me that she thinks he is "a little slow" due to the fact that his parents are related. I always remind Mom that her kids turned out okay! HA! Just kidding.

Back to Neuman....it seems being the male in a household full of females, that Neuman has several crosses to bear. He continually plays the role of "Nana's" (that's me) protector. He loves being outside and the front yard is his primary domain, secondary is the right side of my bed!

Neuman puts up with a lot from Lucy and Petey. He is twice their size and could easily pummel both of them if he chose to do so. But he cowers from Lucy and always shows her proper respect as the alpha female. Sometimes Lucy will pummel Neuman for no apparent reason, I think its because she can!

Anyway, this week Petey was lying on a pillow chewing on her rawhide bone, when Neuman decided he wanted that bone. He bullied her and intimidated her with deep growl and a glimpse of his teeth. I was surprised as this is really out of Neuman's character to do something like this. Well Petey went slinking off and Lucy came up off the couch to protect Petey. I explained to Lucy to go back and lay down, as I think I can handle this one.

When the dust settled, both Petey and Lucy were on the couch with me, and I scolded Neuman for being a bully.

As I sat on the couch and confirmed with Neuman that he had been bad, he kept trying to come up on the couch in hopes of redeeming himself. This is where I really misread his intentions.

He was insistent on trying to crawl up in my lap and I noticed that he had the rawhide bone he took from Petey, who was now leaning against me on the couch. Neuman kept nudging the bone at me and dropping it in my lap. It suddenly occurred to me that he was trying to give the bone back to Petey! I thought that was the sweetest thing I had ever seen, so I accepted the bone from Neuman and gave it to Petey.

When I went to reward the good behavior and tell Neuman what a good boy he was, I looked at him and he had the most pissed-off look on his face I have ever seen him have. He was staring me straight in the face with his nose crinkled up. Apparently, he was not trying to give the bone to Petey, but rather to me! And I SO insulted him by taking it and giving it to Petey! This was not a passing reaction. I couldn't stop laughing, and the more I laughed, it seemed the more irritated Neuman became, crinkling his nose even more. I finally told him to go lay down, and he slumped in pile at my feet and sulked the rest of the evening.

Having these dogs is like having three kids. They are so sensitive and easily get their feelings hurt. I'm sure my neighbors are convinced that I am the crazy lady who lives with the dogs on the hill. :-)