Oh, I'm sorry Rebecca - I think I probably would have had to say something to my "friends". I haven't had the
exact same experience as you, but something similar - and it's with my own grown children!
I've told them that Mia is basically our grandchild (because we don't have any). And she needs to
greeted when they come over and treated as a part of our
family - not just a dog. It hurts me when they ignore or just look at her - she is always sooo delighted to see them - wagging her tail and wiggling all over just
waiting to be spoken to. She's not a terrible barker. She has a reason when she does, and I have told them that I wouldn't have a dog that didn't bark (meaning I wouldn't discourage it). I want her to bark when there are things she needs to tell me. I don't always hear our doorbell, or she knows when cars pull up at our house, etc. The bottom line is they need to be
respectful of us.
If you had 2 children you wouldn't allow your friends to treat them differently. To me it's the same thing. I would say tell them kindly, please don't treat Hobbs that way. Either be kind to both, or don't bother with either.
Gez, I haven't had my coffee yet - I hope this made sense...
