April 15, 2008

I just got back from walking Kalina and Matty Lu, which is something I try to do every night. The Divine Miss K has always been a delightful companion, whether walking or driving in the car. Hell, she's even fun to watch TV with. She cuddles next to me on the sofa and I pat her from time to time marveling at how lucky I am to have such a wonderful little girl Yorkie. Those qualities of gentle sweetness are obvious even when walking. In plain words - when walking, Kalina minds her own business.

And then there is Matty Lu. She doesn't walk, she HOPS. I know Kalina is twice the size of Matty, but Kalina walks slowly and like a lady. There really is no need for Matty to hop up and down next to her the entire time. And she barks! She barks if the wind rustles the leaves in the tree. She barks if a car or person on a bike goes by. She barks at invisible demons. And she really barks at other dogs. She hops and barks. Matty stop it! Matty calm down! No Matty. Bad Matty. All have no effect whatsoever.

This evening's walk was worse than usual. I decided to try a new technique. I picked up Matty when she started getting so overly exuberant that she began coughing and gagging. Hey, I use a halter so it isn't that!! So I picked her up and whispered in her ear "Shut the heck up before I throttle you". She didn't want anything to do with it. She twisted and turned and flipped and if I hadn't manage to grab a handful of fur she'd have fallen out of my arms. I smiled at passersby as if this were quite a normal occurrence. Which, of course, it is!

I guess it’s time I faced facts. These two girls are “different”. I have one that is an angel and one that is full of P & V. And yet, when they turn those big brown eyes up to me or deign to take their nap on my lap, I know that I love them both more than I could have ever thought possible. Matty just needs a tad more work. She’s not completely cooked…not yet.