Girls having fun

Missy isn't quite resigned to having another girl sharing the house. She runs up to me when I call the dogs and makes sure she's between me and Zoe. Girls! Girls! I pet them both, of course.

On the other hand, they sleep together just fine. In the same dog bed, no less. What can we say?

Our grown daughter Kirsten, visiting from Austin, TX, has rheumatoid arthritis. She moves slowly and can't walk far. She's in town planning her next joint replacement: her ankle will be fused and replaced after Christmas at Harborview Hospital.

Kirsten is on full disability, so she's home all day. In Austin, she shares her apartment with a dog lover. However, the two roommates have never agreed on a dog they like.

Kirsten has always been more of a cat person. Then along comes Zoe. Zoe has fallen in love with Kirsten, who is gentle and touches softly. While Missy and I love vigorous walks, Kirsten strokes, pets, and provides quiet company for Zoe. Needless to say, during her extended mornings in bed while her joints are unlocking for the day, Kirsten has had warm wooly company... our little Zoe!

"How much walking would a dog like Zoe need?" Kirsten asked. Zoe wishes we'd quit after a block or two, which would be Kirsten's limit.

Yesterday Kirsten asked if something wrong with Zoe. "The doggie had a fit of burrowing and scooting in my sheets and blankets this morning!"

"That's a poodle thing," I assured Kirsten. We watched a YouTube clip of another poodle doing the same wriggle and had a good laugh. Yup, Zoe is all poodle!

We have a dog backpack. After Zoe runs out of steam (up to a mile into our walks), I scoop her into the pack and off we go. Missy and I did 3 miles yesterday... the last two miles at a brisk pace after we put the toddling Zoe on my back.

Missy came home ready to fetch and spin and bounce around the house. Zoe headed for Kirsten's room. She seemed to be saying, "People! Please don't bother me! This gal is my snuggle buddy."

Don't know what Zoe will do when Kirsten goes home later this month. Zoe is bonding with her, and Kirsten loves her too. Kirsten's coming back at Christmas for at least 3 months during surgery.

Missy and Zoe are good watch dogs. They barked ferociously when UPS came by to drop off a parcel. Luckily the front door stood between them and the delivery person. Good doggies!