March 7, 2010

White Dog has invented a "game" she plays with Quinn at 3 o'clock in the morning. Quinn goes outside through the dog door in our bedroom (presumably to answer the call of nature) and White Dog who is lying on our bed awakens and barks. Then she waits until he tries to come back in and she unleashes a volley of snarling and barking and carrying on, all the while wagging her tail. White Dog does this all from the bed so she has the added bonus of awakening Steve and I. Poor Quinn who is becoming more confident but still is walking on eggshells to please, backs off from the door and sits patiently on the deck. He tries again a few minutes later, to another salvo by White Dog. I wrap my arms around White Dog and draw her head up to the pillows where I explain that she is scaring her brother. Meantime, Steve goes to the door and holds it open begging the reticent newcomer that he is indeed welcome in the house and to ignore White Dog. If White Dog barks while he is coming in, he turns around and goes back out. Finally, White Dog gives up the game and allows Quinn to enter unassailed...and we finally can all get back to sleep!