Since we are a 2-dog and 2-person household, it just kind of worked out that we have "His and Her" dogs. I always gravitate towards Miss M, and when we go for family walks, given our Bachelorette history, and E walks Mr. B.I have never actually taken Mr. B. for a walk by himself.
The other day I wanted to go read in the park. Knowing Miss M wanted to spend her afternoon like this:
I decided Mr. B. would be the perfect companion to take to the park. Although, Miss M. wasn't too happy about this idea. She gave us stinkeye as we were leaving:
I didn't realize what a different experience it would be to walk Mr. B. Sure, I walk both dogs together in the morning, but I think there is something about just walking dog that suggests leisure and encourages people to stop and talk to you.Mr. B. is more of a musclehead, and he attracts a lot of guys. Just on our mile walk to the park, we were stopped by at least 6 different guys. Nearly all of our conversations centered around what a "beast" he is, and how I am "able to walk such a big dog". Mr. B. is also a bit more aloof, and doesn't rush to be petted like Miss M. He was also able to lay nicely at the park without acting like a Bovine.
It just seemed like a strange realization that I had never done an activity with Mr. B. on his own. Is it common in most multi-dog households to have favorites? And is having a favorite the only way to be "fair"?
26 comments:
Miss M looks extremely unhappy in that picture...too funny! I think it's normal to have a "favorite".
We also have his and her dogs...Ollie spends more time with D and Flash spends more time with me. It is always strange to go someplace with just one of the dogs. They're both so people friendly that we get stopped with either. Ollie just lacks confidence when Flash isn't with him. He's a completely different dog.
I can see why you'd get stopped by more men with Mr. B. He's such a handsome tough guy!
Oh Miss. M looking out the window is so adorable. She looks so sad, but so cute. Bogart would give that same look out the back window of the car when my ex boyfriend would drop me off somewhere.
I think it's natural for a couple with more than 1 dog to have a preference. It doesn't mean that you love one more than the other. It just makes sense for splitting the work in care giving.
I think you tend to gravitate to one or the other for certain things. Aaron prefers to walk Monty - Sam won't walk well for him. Sam walks like a champion for me, however!
Sam
Rob and I each have favorites, but each little personality is so different that they each have special appeal.
Whatever happened to Wilma?
I think I am Mom's favorite. Of course.
I sure do wish Dad would take me to the park. Just us guys.
Wilma was officially adopted last week! She lives in a home with 2 smaller male dogs. We asked her new family to send us some photos to share with everyone. Stay tuned...
Our having 4 is even harder with the "favorites" dilemma.
I think it just happens. But I think it happens for them too.
And it changes.
Haleigh Anne used to be a total daddy's girl. Now she gravitates towards me more.
It goes in cycles.
I think it's nice for them to get their own alone time with their human though - it's always nice to feel special and get all the attention.
Now that im single I still have my favorites for certain activities or certain moods. I know that when I do have a boyfriend they pick a favorite and the other becomes my favorite.
I am so glad you and Mr B had a wonderful date together.
I still try every week to have a date with one of mine alone but the sad/angry face I see through the window when I leave makes me feel so guilty!
I love Ms. M's stinkeye! Too funny...
I think it's pretty normal to have that sort of situation. It doesn't even have to be "favorites", just simple routine can mean you end up with one dog more often than the other(s). When we walk our crew, The Hubs tends to take Melanie every time, and I had the same realization as you last week when I walked her on my own.
I think it's natural to gravitate towards a certain dog. I know I've posted in my blog about having a favorite, but the reality is that it changes all the time. As long as all the dogs get lots of love, it's all good :)
I love the term stink-eye! For some reason I've always called it the fish-eye(?). I'm so glad Wilma got adopted and I really hope you can get some pictures for us!
Poor Miss M! She gives good stink eye! I seriously love her face!
Being that we're a one dog household I cant offer any suggestions, but I do think if we were to get a second dog at some point down the line Darwin would always be my favorite.
lol- I don't imagine it was your dog attracting the guys :) Sorry but... these are guys we're talking about here :)
We have "his and her" dogs here too:)
My dog is good, listens and loves me. He is my favorite.
My DH dogs is not so good, he destroys things and eats them, he does not listen well, and is a bully. He gives ME a headache:)
(I love them both, but in different ways)
HA loved the pic of the stink eye I get that alot with 3 dogs I can walk them all together but with one being a pup (7 months-65lbs) I usually will try and walk him alone just to sneak in some training time. but I must admit I do have my Fav which is my Mona she is my 1st pitty ever and I love her so she obviously prefers me to any other bi-ped. But my baby boy Chewy is 2nd in line he follows me around like a baby bird and he is the one I can do the most with since my Mona has some "issues" with the great unknown.
Since the kiddlets come joined at the hip... it's hard to have a favorite! You get one and you get the other even if you don't want both at the same time. I've tried to do things separately with them both and they don't like it... constantly looking for the other and the one left at home is so sad.
Mr B and his silly face - I love it.
Three of our five dogs are 12, and they aren't as eager to go for walks as the younger two. However, I'd rather not walk the two younger dogs at one time because of their energy levels, and I feel awful leaving one behind! And I know Charlie goes crazy waiting for Oliver to return, and vice-versa.
I think the dogs have their favorites, just like we do. Some personalities just click more than others. Bunny is my usual walking and traveling companion, but she's also the one who's the most eager to go. She travels the best in the car, and has the most stamina. It always makes me feel EXTREMELY guilty to leave the house with one of the other dogs and not take her!
Woof! Woof! That is why I am the only dog in the house. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar
We also live in a 2-dog, 2-person household. We switch back and forth when walking. It's like getting the short stick, who gets the Airedale that is acting up that day!
Wyatt
We have tons of special momma time because master doesn't walk us at all (heck, he won't even play tennis ball with us, sigh). It is kind of annoying because whenever peewee has his special trainings or walkies I get left out and sometimes (OK, all the time) I howl.
I think that Mr. B needs time with mom all alone and it sure sounds like you had a happy making walkie.
Slobbers,
Mango
I loved this post (and Miss M giving the Stinkeye from the window). That is nice that you had a special adventure with your boy. I bet he appreciated it too.
Thanks for visiting us! I know I should never complain about our summer weather out here, knowing that so many other folks have to deal with heat AND humidity (like I'm sure you do in Chicago).
Looks like you and Mr. B had a great walk! I agree with your other readers. I think people in the same household will gravitate towards certain dogs, but it's always good to mix it up! (Although, from the looks of that face, I'm not sure Miss M felt the same way =)
oooo, heeheehee, miss m was totally givin' you the hairy eyeball! but i think it was super sweet for you to take mr. b out on a date. :)
i am a mama's boy, and asa is a daddy's girl. i think we doggies and parents just kinda gravitate towards one a little more than the other, but that doesn't mean we don't love each other just the same!
*woof*
the booker man
pee s -- GRATSERS on miss wilma being adopted! YAY YAY YAY! :)))
i can't wait to see pictures at her new forevarrr home.
we have favorites here :)
Don't forget, we moved to http://dogisgodinreverse.com/
We don't so much have favorites but the dogs definitely reflect our two personalities. Kitty is like me, sarcastic but loving, you know what is on her mind by the look on her face. She doesn't like strangers. Coco is like my husband. Happy go lucky, very very curious, and known to be boisterous and messy. We both tend to gravitate toward the dog who is most like us because we have the same interests.
Mr. B is very handsome in his walkie pics. Hopefully Mr. M didn't hold a grudge.
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