Otis has been staying with my parents for a couple of weeks , whilst I was in hospital. He sleeps in the kitchen there, so I took the opportunity ( as I have had complaints from my neighbours about him barking in the night) of getting him to sleep downstairs, and not on my bed. My dad brought him to me yesterday, with his dog basket, and I shut the doors to the bedrooms, and put his bed in the lounge. He did come upstairs and briefly whined outside the door, but then went back down to his bed. I was awoken at 7.30am to him whining outside the bedroom door, which I think is very acceptable, and on opening the door had a lovely greeting. Today, I feel I am a good mummy to Otis , as the grandson of the couple next door, who was badly bitten by a dog in the stomach, last summer, played with Otis. He was understandably very timid with him, as Otis can be rather boistrous with children. Firstly, his grandpa, held the little boy, who I think is about eight , up to the fence for Otis to sniff his hand, then we let Otis into their garden, after a bit of coaxing and reassurace to the little boy. Otis bounced around looking for cat poo, then we got a football , which didn't interest Otis who ran back into my garden. I told the little boy, that he was bored, and that he was a bit of a silly dog, and would he like to see his favorite toy, I got Otis,s rubber chicken, that makes a real racket, and the little boy chucked it over the fence for Otis, who dashed to it, and played with it . I asked the little boy if he would like to throw a ball for him, and he came into my garden and threw a tennis ball for Otis , Otis brought the ball back to us, and dropped it near us, (yes, dropped it he didn't run around with it in his mouth ) we then couldn't find the tennis ball, whilst looking the little boy stroked Otis on the head, I told him , he liked his ears being stroked, which the little boy did, and Otis replied with some licks, (result no mouthing !) we then got some treats, and threw the tennis ball again, I gave the treats to the little boy, and told him Otis got a treat when he brings the ball back, Otis sat nicely, whilst the little boy gave him a treat , in the palm of his hand ! he gave him the rest of the pack of treats, no problems ! The little boys mum had arrived by this time, and I think she was as proud of he little boy as I was of mine ! Otis is now fed and snoring on the couch, I am now going to cook my supper, and shut the kitchen door as I do to stop Otis's counter helpful counter surfing, you are not perfect Otis, but I love you boy.
Re: Good boy, Otis Oh wow, what a fantastic boy you have in Otis. Sounds as if no dog could have been better with your neighbours Grandson and helped him to start overcoming an understandable fear. Juno sys she thinks Otis deserves a special treat for being such a good, well behaved boy ;D
Re: Good boy, Otis Aw, bless. You have every right to be a proud doggy parent. It sounds like both he, and the little boy, did wonderfully
Re: Good boy, Otis How wonderful. Otis was fabulous and the little boy was very courageous. Well done both! And well done to you for engineering it all
Re: Good boy, Otis Hope you are doing ok after your hospital stay. Otis will be so glad to be back home with you and you with him Sounds like he was an absolute star today - you must be so proud of him
Re: Good boy, Otis Well do e Otis! It's wonderful that a boy who for obvious reasons was scared of dogs has had such a lovely engaging positive experience.
Re: Good boy, Otis I loved reading this, what a lovely boy Otis is and well done you for helping him be so lovely
