Introductions

Winnie Watching Albert carefully  who was spying on her from behind the hostas
Introducing a new dog to an established pack can be fraught with difficulties. The secret , I have found, is to keep calm yourself, remove all leads and make sure that characters involved are in a large open area. Dogs when they are stressed must not feel cornered.
I need not have worried.
Meg, who is not a lover of other bitches, kept her head low for the meeting and seemed to sense that the huge bear of a bulldog, which is Winnie, was no threat to her.She was interested and cautious whereas Winnie was unconcerned and almost mildly amused with the whole proceeding as one after another the pack sniffed and circled her.
William walked off after a minute or so,  to spend his time staring at the empty half of the rabbit hutch in the vain attempt to catch a glimpse of Mary and George, knowing full well that I was busy supervising, sneaked over to the Ukrainian village to search for eggs.
This left the two bitches to get to know each other.
Meg followed Winnie and Winnie bulldozed her way through the field.
William smiled his goo goo smile at the rabbit hutch and George tucked into a late duck egg.
And Albert walked by, with his big yellow eyes slightly larger and more surprised than normal
It was all a bit of an anticlimax.

Given the fact that Winnie was the new girl, on a new field, with a new " owner" and an audience of poultry, 2 strange looking ewes and a moulting turkey looking on, she took the whole experience in her stride.
It's early days I know. But the first meeting was promising.

41 comments:

  1. Which is lovely. Promising beginnings usually continue I have found where animals are concerned.

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  2. And when does Chris get introduced to Winnie? Last but not least? ;-D

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  3. Lets keep our fingers crossed.

    Have you read the book of well-known British cynologist Jan Fennel: "The Dog Listener"? I found it quite remarkable and filled with many wonderful and sensible suggestions on how to deal with almost every issues with our dogs.

    Hugs
    Jon

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  4. So it goes like it goes....yours is a happy place...a welcoming place.

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  5. Such a good start. I hope they still like each other after they know each other better!

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  6. Hurrah.....for the forgetful amongst us can you do a list of characters and photos?

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  7. You are brave. Welcome Winnie xxxx

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  8. Sounds like she's got a sensible head on her schoulders.
    And a big one.
    Taut little body though!
    Els

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  9. Looks a fit dog! I heard about an Alsation bitch that was about to whelp so prepaid for a male pup. When the pup was delivered, Charlie decided to try and kill it so I had to tell the owner to take it away again. Naturally, I didn't try to ask for my money back but I was disappointed. I like Alsations. I guess Charlie has a nose for future competition!

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    1. Bulldogs are expensive puppies 1,500 £ each
      Bloody hell

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  10. Come on ,old girl...two weeks of best behaviour and you're in!!
    Jane x

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  11. Thumbs up, Winnie!

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  12. Sounds like you have a promising beginning! I hope things stay calm.

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  13. I have always said that bulldogs are wiser than most dogs John and Miss Winnie seems no exception. I love that strong sturdy back.

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    1. They are much brighter than most dogs pat, that's true..
      And when you tell them something they look at you as though they understand perfectly

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  14. She's only behaving like a 'lady' because she knows you're writing about her! Image is everything.

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  15. Awwww who’s a good girl

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  16. Home from a few days away to read you have Winnie. Happy.

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  17. I look forward to hearing about adventures with Winnie but am still intrigued with Williams's fascination with Mary!

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    1. It's not fascination.......it's obsession

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  18. Your posts ALWAYS make my day and this one was no exception! Winnie won the lottery getting to come home with you.

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  19. That's a good start. Love the pic of Winnie's back view, so strong and sturdy.

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  20. Please come to my house and make my four cats able to get along. It's a long way but you'd like to come to Canada, wouldn't you? :)

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  21. Excellent picture of the bitch's rear end but couldn't you make her wear knickers? It has put me off my tea.

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    1. I will buy her some marks and spencer PANTS yp

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  22. I love dogs with charcter, your pack all have their own personalities that shine. Do they get on at feeding time or when a bone is on offer?

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    1. Never feed terriers together Ali
      Nightmare
      Each is fed in a different room

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  23. Sounds quite promising. I hope it continues so well.

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  24. Oh well done your menagerie :-) and good on Winnie! Wonder why William's so fixated with rabbit Mary.

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  25. Well done, Winnie. Favorite Young Man loves the bully breeds. His Stella is an American Bulldog/Boxer mix.

    Love,
    Janie

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  26. I am so happy you found a young healthy bulldog. They were my Grandmother's favorite dogs. She is beautiful and I love her name. Looking forward to many more adventures with Ms. Winnie!!! xoxo

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  27. Anonymous9:01 pm

    Good on ya, Winnie!

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  28. Glad there have been no fights. Fingers crossed they'll all get on.

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  29. Bulldogs seem to have that unconcerned air about them, don't they? It's as if they know they outweigh any trouble maker or something.

    Glad it all went well, John. :-)

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  30. Sometimes we humans over-plan, act overly cautious & have dozens of stratagies to tend to the most unpleasant possibilities we can imagine when our pets are introduced to a newcomer. We are usually, almost disappointed, when the animals are simply courious and go on about their day. Maybe the reality is that we anticipate our animals may react like human being -threatened, anxious & jealous. Turns out people might be better off to take out example from the animals With a glance, a sniff & carry on. Good Bitch Meg & you show em Winnie.

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    1. Funnily enough I was just thinking the same
      Weover complicate stuff

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  31. S'pose having dogs is like having kids, got three, you might as well have four!Happy Landings, Winnie.x

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  32. Glad the intros went well--I hope that continues. I know the uncertainty that a new comer can bring, and I also know the stress you try not to show at those times. We of course also have our own way of our dogs meeting new comers, who are also seasoned veterans at it--But my biggest worry is always Todd; will the new comer like a smart-alecky Scottie, some don't, and I understand.

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  33. Nice to meet you Miss Winnie!! Fasten you seat-belt for the ride of your life! You're gonna love it!

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  34. She looks a beauty, glad it all went well.

    We've had lots of introductions in the past, dogs to dogs, dogs to cats, dogs to chickens, dogs to geese and even dog to frog, and we've always find they go okay if they know you are watching and understand what you expect of them, a firm 'Be Nice' is usually enough :-)

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