Bringing a puppy into the middle of a pack of opinionated oldies has been quite an adventure!  As always, my gang surprised me and has shown me how much generosity and open-heartedness dogs harbor.

They also don’t mind blasting Ike when his little puppy teeth crunch down on a wagging tail or a moving hind end.  He has no filter on what is appropriate to grab – and the troops have little filter on how loudly or sternly they issue a cease and desist order.  Ike happily rolls away from the reprimand and in seconds is on to the next movement that catches his eye.  He doesn’t hold a grudge … he doesn’t take it personally, he just regroups and thunders on.

He takes great issue with the whole concept of being confined by a harness and leash.  I have been warned that Border Collies are sensitive and really smart … and boy is he teaching me that the hard way.  He hates the harness going over his head.  He hates car rides.

Knowing that the boy will do anything for food (I know that feeling), I switched up my thought process, found him a harness that doesn’t fit over his head, and went to work.

Tonight I added the leash and I enlisted Snickers and Emma to lead the way out into the field.  Victory!  Between the treats and his buddies, we actually took a little walk … with tail wagging.

Bringing up puppy – even with 11 babysitters helping – is not for sissies, but what a joy!