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Who knew? We’ve never owned this kind of dog. She’s a Yorkie/Papillion mix terrier with emphasis on Terrier. Apparently, these dogs were bred in England to go down badger, rabbit, and fox holes. This explains a lot. In fact, we’ve had Libby two months and here are 6 sentences I never thought I’d hear myself utter…

“Don’t hurt that snake!” – The other day I let Libby out on her backyard leash. I sat on the outdoor step, facing the sun. Ah… that felt good. Then I looked down to my right and jumped ten feet.

A snake lay next to me. Thank God, it was a little black snake with a yellow stripe down its back. Still, I’m not a snake person and if that reptile were bigger, they would’ve heard me in the next county. But this one was kind of cute.

Then Libby saw it.

Without hesitating, she charged over, stuffing her nose into the plants where the snake lay. I saw the snake move and the dog track it with its snout. Call me a softie, but I couldn’t bear the thought of that poor little reptile being violently shaken to death in the mouth of this little dog.

I tugged Libby back. “Don’t hurt that snake!” Thank God, the animal slithered away. But now Libby goes snuffling for it every time she goes out. I pray that snake takes the hint and moves to the next state.

“What’s the latest kill count?” – Don’t worry, I’m talking stuffed animals. And it was so sweet when family and friends brought over adorable little plush-toy offerings for Libby. Little did they know.

Every day I have to pick up body parts — white mounds of stuffing, plastic squeaky things (their “hearts” as Libby probably sees them) and torn limbs. Libby doesn’t play with toys. She vivisects them. She puts them in her mouth and shakes them like she’s trying to get a confession. If these were real bodies, it would look like a mob shake-down. Thank God, they’re not.

“Man the squirt gun!” – There’s no rhyme or reason. Some people Libby takes to right away, standing on hind legs, hoping they’ll pick her up. Others (usually large males) she takes longer to warm to, barking for what seems like hours. Sometimes she barks so hard, she propels herself backwards like a cannon recoiling. And yes, this situation is as charming as it sounds.

So we’ve devised the squirt gun method. A small hit of water is the only thing that shuts her up. In fact, sometimes it even speeds up the bonding process. Maybe she figures if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.

“I’ve lost feeling in my lap.” – For all her scrappiness, Libby is one of the most affectionate animals I’ve had. She has to be close… always. She’s in my lap when I write (in fact, she’s in my lap now). She’s in my lap when I’m reading or lying in bed. Sometimes I have to put her down just to get feeling back in my abdomen. She always needs to touch, except for one exception, which leads me to my next strange utterance…

“Randy, don’t move.” – The only time Libby’s not glued to my side is when she’s glued to Randy’s. This happens every night in bed. My husband’s bigger, warmer and a more sedate sleeper. My only fear is he’ll turn over, squishing dear little Libby. Sometimes I have to remind him he has a small canine plastered to his belly.

“Please stop following me.” – If I have to use the bathroom at 3:00 a.m. or get a glass of water, Libby jumps up from a sound sleep and trots behind me, bleary-eyed. I tell her not to, but like many dogs, she doesn’t know the meaning of those words. I feel guilty, but the programming’s inbred. Dogs are never off-duty. And Libby’s especially vigilant.

And that’s how life is now. We’re adjusting to this crazy, young canine.

Still, Libby has one major thing in her favor. We love her. And I have to say, I feel complete with a dog. They enhance life. They’re funny and innocent and joyful. Libby’s already given me companionship I would wait years to get from a human. With Libby it only took a few chew toys and her favorite kibble.

And yes, time will catch up to this tenacious terrier. Someday she’ll slow down and become creakier… someday.

But for now, Libby has youth’s bravado, barking at everything that dares enter her kingdom — mailmen, friends, neighbors, flocks of geese, bumblebees, hummingbirds, chipmunks, and now a traumatized snake.

I worry sometimes. Can impulsive, no-holds-barred Libby survive this world?

But maybe I have it backwards.

Can the world survive Libby?

 

Do you have a crazy pet? Comments are always welcome and if you like, please share. Thank you!

Comments(26)

    • Ann Donnelly

    • 8 years ago

    Viva la Libby!! She sounds adorable. Can’t wait to meet her.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Ann, I know she’ll love you! I can’t wait for you to meet her.

  1. Oh, she’s cute! And my dog also “kills” stuffed animals. They usually don’t even last an hour. Sigh. They certainly do come with their own personalities, don’t they?

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      They sure do! I’ve never had a cuter dog or one with such a killer instinct! Quite the dichotomy. Thanks for reading.

  2. Loved this. We’ve got a six month old pup and she is a holy terror too, but so lovable!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Corinne, You can definitely identify! Thanks for reading.

    • jmcurran

    • 8 years ago

    Such a protective group, the terriers. Have so much fun with her, you have a best friend forever. What a lucky pooch she is!

    btw, the air in a can that one uses to clean computers… also a nice deterrent. I like the water pistol, though— might freak her out if she gets caught in the rain.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Thanks so much, Joan. Interesting point about the squirt gun. I’ll have to think about that. Thanks for reading!

  3. That’s a lovely portrait of your dog. I feel I know Libby very well. I think I would only ever approach her if I had a squirt gun, though. 🙂

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Smart thinking, Bun! Thanks for reading.

  4. Aaww, don’t you just love how giving dogs are. She sounds like she is taking care of her pack and she just might be the pack leader 🙂

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Lori, She’s definitely the pack leader! Thanks for reading.

  5. This is just hilarious! You are such a talented writer! Libby sounds like a trip and I relate to the chaos–and love–these people of fur bring into our lives. My dog tried to detonate my leg, but that’s a story for another day!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Sounds like a blog post, Lee! Thanks so much for reading and you’re right. Libby is a trip.

  6. She is the cutest! I like her name, too! Now, I expect more updates on her! Thanks!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 7 years ago

      Jena, Libby is adorable and I love her name too (she came with it). Don’t worry, I can’t seem to go long without Libby updates.

  7. Libby is so cute! My husband would love a little dog like Libby but at the moment it isn’t possible. Thanks for sharing her antics with us.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 7 years ago

      Sue, I love little dogs and Libby fits the bill. She’s far from perfect (still has her occasional “accident”), but we love her.

  8. I finally get to comment on this because I now HAVE A DOG! And Fiona sounds a lot like your Libby! She’s a Morkie which is a Yorkie/Maltese and at 7 months old all 3.9 lbs. of her rules our house. We have to squirt gun too. And man a lot of noise can come out of that tiny body. My boys adore her to pieces and want her to sleep with them but she has to sleep in a crate. I am afraid she will get smooshed. But man has she made our loves so much better.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Lauren, Love the name Fiona! Couldn’t be cuter. Also, love those breeds together. Can’t imagine how adorable she must be. Don’t forget to buckle up! These little dogs all have minds of their owns. But they’re so much fun and bring so much joy.

  9. “And I have to say, I feel complete with a dog. They enhance life. They’re funny and innocent and joyful. Libby’s already given me companionship I would wait years to get from a human.”
    I’ve said it before and I’ve meant it every time: We need more Libbys in this world!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Diane, Thanks so much and I know you love your beautiful little sheep dog!

  10. So much fun to read. I these times, distraction is a gift. So hug Libby and thanks for sharing her amazing life with us.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Beth, Yes, I get the same from your wonderful posts. We need distraction more than ever.

  11. I’m spending a lot of time with our dog, Bolt, now that the pandemic is here. I’m working at home, so I’m getting to know his personality more. He is very good at finding any crumb dropped in any spot in the house. And he knows the sound of my GPS app that tells me when my husband is en route home. My dog goes and waits by the door between the garage and the kitchen. Your dog is very cute! It’s sweet that she follows you to the bathroom, even if it’s unnecessary. Dogs are fabulous company. I hope that you regain feeling in your lap after those cuddles!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Karen, Bolt sounds wonderful and its amazing he knows when your husband’s coming home by the sound of the app! They add so much joy to our lives.

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