Teddy arrived on Thanksgiving afternoon, and ran to greet Cricket, while Cricket ran to greet Teddy’s Mom. After that inauspicious beginning, Teddy and Cricket sniffed each other thoroughly and were so busy reacquainting themselves that Teddy almost missed his Mom’s exit. Almost. When she was barely a dot in the distance, he turned and saw her and cried out and tried to jump out of his collar to get to her. But his collar is very well made.
We pushed on with our efforts to distract Teddy, using all of the wonderful sniffies the backyard could offer, and by the time we reached our front door, Teddy knew exactly where he was. He ran up the stairs, and then stopped short in front of our neighbor’s door, where remnants of Hazel the visiting mini-Golden-Doodle-puppy’s pee wafted up to his nose. It took a while to get his attention back, but then he followed Cricket into our apartment, did a reconnaissance trip through every room, and satisfied himself that things were pretty much as they should be.
Teddy adapted much more quickly on this visit, crying only one or two little mews while sniffing under the front door for signs of his Mom, before settling onto my lap to watch the rest of the National Dog Show on TV. I had hopes that Cricket and Teddy would chime in with some dog recommendations for me as we watched, but they kept their opinions to themselves. I, on the other hand, started to swoon over a little French Bulldog, with bat ears, who looked like he could have been one of Butterfly’s long lost puppies, just without the hair.
He looked a little bit like this cutie (not my picture)
Cricket was back in full health so she was able to jump up on the couch and let Teddy know that he would not be usurping her space. It worked out well for me, because I ended up surrounded by fluffy puppy dogs, vying for my attention. Cricket had her haircut last week, and Teddy’s hair has been growing back in, so they look closer in size now, and with Cricket back to full power they’re also acting more like equals on this visit. We all celebrated Thanksgiving together, with chicken treats (for the dogs) and chocolate cake (for the humans).
My attempt at dog whispering.
When I made a detour to sit at the computer, Teddy discovered the makeshift doggy bed we’d put together for him, to avoid the arguments over ownership of Cricket’s bed that had made Cricket so grumpy on Teddy’s last visit. The bed was made out of a cardboard box, bubble wrap, quilting supplies and a few pillow cases and thread. He knew it was his right away, and only pulled it apart three times before we figured out how to make it more durable.
“Why does her bed look more comfy than mine?”
“My bed is taller than yours, Cricket. Just sayin'”
“This is more like it.”
Teddy has clearly been practicing his pooping-outdoors skills to get ready for this visit, and Cricket has been thoroughly impressed by his new and innovative ideas for who and what to bark at, and at which (very) early hours of the morning.
I know Teddy misses his Mom, but he’s doing well, and we’re all very glad he’s here to warm up the house in the cold weather.
rachelmankowitz 
Happy thanksgiving to All! Hoping Cricket and Teddy have a wonderful visit 😊
It’s going really well so far. Happy Thanksgiving!
Super! Thank you 😊
I love the photo of you surrounded by by pups! Glad everyone is getting along so well!
Fingers crossed!
Great. Thanks and congrats.
The dog whispering picture is priceless. Meanwhile my granddaughter is trying to turn her hyperactive rescue Maltese/who knows into a therapy dog using treats as incentives. Happy Thanksgiving leftovers to you and your mom.
Thank you!
Delightful story and pictures 🙂
Thank you!
Happy belated Thanksgiving! I am so glad the pups are getting along much better this visit. Loved the update on their snif adventures. And I think it is wise of you to let them explore their world with that sense.
Thank you! It’s amazing how many sniffies they can process in such a short period of time. I would be overwhelmed!
There was recently a talk on NPR by a woman who studies dogs. She said many modern dogs are unlearning the ability to see the world by smell. Their owners do not allow them free range to smell and ask them to depend on sight, for example by pointing. With her own dogs she occasionally does a “smell” walk, they may only go a few feet in 20 minutes but she lets them take charge and follow the scents.
Miss cricket loves her sniffing!
He looks pretty happy there! Cricket looks almost ok with it all.
That about sums it up.
I just knew that adorable little scamp would settle down and actually enjoy seeing you all. Dogs are such creatures of habits, aren’t they?
They’re wonderful!
awww, i’m happy for all of you –
Thank you!
Now, if you could only find a Teddy of your own… but then, sometimes it’s better to be able to send them home..
My next door neighbor just got a bichon/shi-tzu puppy and I am in serious danger of running out to find my own.
I’m sure it will happen, sooner or later, Rachel. 🙂
Oh you made me giggle at “they kept their opinions to themselves” and “My bed is taller than yours Cricket . Just saying ” lol. I am glad that Cricket has a little friend to come visit her and happy she is back to healthy . Happy Belated Thanksgiving! I been digging bushes out the ground for the move. They were all presents and The Lilac was the last present my mom gave me. I hope to start blogging again after the move.
My Mom just dug up her sweet potato crop for the winter, and Cricket was not happy to have to remain clean and indoors during that process. Good luck with the move!
Teddy is a lucky fella to be so well babysat!
Thank you! I hope he agrees.
So glad that Teddy got to visit. I’m pretty partial to poodles; they are very emotionally sensitive – in a good way. And dogs need friends, too.
He’s such a good boy!
So cute!
Thank you!
a happy doggy
holiday experience 🙂
Pooping skills are very important including the selections of when and where.
I have been very impressed with Teddy’s learning curve.
That dog whispering pic is adorable. Great to know Teddy settled more quickly. Methinks you rather like having two dogs around.
I love having two dogs. It’s an addiction.
A lovely post Rachel. Teddy is a sweetheart and I’m glad he and Cricket are seeing more eye to eye this time. Love the beds captions. Funny. 🙂
Thank you!
Great post. Glad that Teddy and Cricket are getting to be friends.
Thank you!
I’m happy to see this. Love the makeshift bed! You can make them out of old towels too. I’ve got a few towel beds – stuff them with stuffing from Michael’s and sew them up. We had to mingle 6 small dogs for our holiday and it can get tricky lol!
I’m just so impressed that Teddy knew it was his bed and that there have been no bed conflicts at all this time.
What a lovely sight…Teddy looks so at home and Cricket clearly has accepted him as one of the pack. The dog whisperer picture is priceless! I’m glad you had such a wonderful Thanksgiving at your house! Is Teddy staying long this time?
Teddy’s staying about a week this time and I am loving it!
Hooray – the ever popular Teddy was back to amuse Cricket and her family for Thanksgiving – excellent news!
Perhaps Teddy will become a holiday fixture…??
Wouldn’t that be great! We’ll have to invent some new holidays!
It’s always good (and most welcome by the uprights) when dog visits go more according to plan. Enjoy your ‘howliday’ visitor. Kudos for the innovative sleeping arrangement.
Thank you!
Glad this visit is going well! Teddy does look right at home.
Thank you!
Glad Teddy and Cricket are getting on so well. They look good together.I’m still thinking about that “We’ll see ” comment, a few posts ago. :o)
Cricket is allowing her full personality out now, for better or worse. I’m pretty sure Teddy is dreaming of going back to his house during his long naps, but he seems happy here when he’s awake.
Watching the National Dog Show with some loving dogs sounds like a great time! Sorry they didn’t share their opinions, though. 🙂
Watching that show is so dangerous because I come up with a long list of dogs I can’t live without.
So adorable!!
Thank you!
Sounds like it went pretty well Rachel. A pet sitter of your caliber is a true gift which I am sure is appreciated by both your friends, canine and human. Would have loved a film clip of the dog bed testing, I’ll bet he had fun.
Teddy has been much more assertive this time around. He really ripped that bed apart – for the sake of research, of course.
Awww. Happy happy
I want to thank you for reading my blog and I’m glad you enjoy it. You’re one of my loyal readers, for whom I’m grateful! I really enjoy your blog, too, and miss Butterfly even though I never met her.
Thank you!
Great to see the return of Teddy!
This is so cool you are having Teddy again! And Cricket in in full health! It all looks so cute!
Thank you!
Oh, I can tell you love our furry friends just as much as I do. Don’t know what I’d do without mine. Love to see all the love you share!
Thank you!
So cute! And great photos.
Thank you!