Well, Bela continues to convince me that Shelties are the most resilient and adaptable breeds ever! (Of course, I already knew that, but I'm proud of her just the same.)
When I adopted her a little over two months ago, I was warned that she hadn't been checked out with children, and probably had had no contact with them. I was warned to be very cautious if and when I ever did introduce her.
Well, on Wednesday, a friend who lives up the street was unavoidably detained, and asked me to retrieve her 11 year old daughter Alexis from the bus stop. Now this is a very "doggie" family. They always have at least two or three around the house, and although they don't live up to my standards of dog ownership, they still love their dogs, and the dogs seem quite happy.
I told Alexis about Bela, and her history and not to approach Bela first - just let Bela come to her if she would. Bela is still on the wearing-the-leash-around-the-house stage of her training, so I was there at all times watching her like a hawk.
Alexis sat down on the living room floor and spread her homework over the coffee table. You could tell Bela liked this - she adores anyone who will get down on the floor with her. So much to my surprise, Bela goes up to Alexis, and snuggles down beside her like she's her best friend!
They got along famously! I don't think I saw Bela flinch even once while Alexis was petting her (she still does this with me on occasion, but it's a dying habit). Bela sat there smiling into Alexis' face and almost-but-not-quite wagging her tail.
I was flummoxed, but pleasantly flummoxed. I'll still watch Bela closely around children of any age, but I'm quite pleased with her normal Sheltie behavior!
This dog never ceases to amaze me - just last week she also discovered that she LOVES to look out the windows while riding in the car. She's opening up like a rare blossom.
Oh, and she's also learned her first little trick - bouncing on her front legs to get a treat! It seemed like at first she just couldn't grasp the idea that certain behavior gets you a really great treat. She's rapidly learning how to learn, and if all goes well, we'll start more formal training soon!
When I adopted her a little over two months ago, I was warned that she hadn't been checked out with children, and probably had had no contact with them. I was warned to be very cautious if and when I ever did introduce her.
Well, on Wednesday, a friend who lives up the street was unavoidably detained, and asked me to retrieve her 11 year old daughter Alexis from the bus stop. Now this is a very "doggie" family. They always have at least two or three around the house, and although they don't live up to my standards of dog ownership, they still love their dogs, and the dogs seem quite happy.
I told Alexis about Bela, and her history and not to approach Bela first - just let Bela come to her if she would. Bela is still on the wearing-the-leash-around-the-house stage of her training, so I was there at all times watching her like a hawk.
Alexis sat down on the living room floor and spread her homework over the coffee table. You could tell Bela liked this - she adores anyone who will get down on the floor with her. So much to my surprise, Bela goes up to Alexis, and snuggles down beside her like she's her best friend!
They got along famously! I don't think I saw Bela flinch even once while Alexis was petting her (she still does this with me on occasion, but it's a dying habit). Bela sat there smiling into Alexis' face and almost-but-not-quite wagging her tail.
I was flummoxed, but pleasantly flummoxed. I'll still watch Bela closely around children of any age, but I'm quite pleased with her normal Sheltie behavior!
This dog never ceases to amaze me - just last week she also discovered that she LOVES to look out the windows while riding in the car. She's opening up like a rare blossom.
Oh, and she's also learned her first little trick - bouncing on her front legs to get a treat! It seemed like at first she just couldn't grasp the idea that certain behavior gets you a really great treat. She's rapidly learning how to learn, and if all goes well, we'll start more formal training soon!
