Jealous

I should know better by now. No sooner do I say that Ben is getting better when last afternoon he leaped out at a dog on leash, pulling the leash out of my hands as I felt the burn of the nylon. He jumped in the dogs face, barking at it. I managed to get him back under control.

We went for a walk in the farm last night. As usual, I left the 10 foot long rope trailing behind him when I let him run loose in the uncropped fields. He loves chasing birds and groundhogs.

Our angel Trickster joined us after this romp and was quite happy to see Ben but I don't know why. During a phone call last night, I was petting Trickster. Ben was lying out of site in the corner, barking and growling. He finally got up and confronted Trickster with barks and growls. Brother. He was jealous of the attention Trickster was getting. Trickster went upstairs and Ben moved into place beside me.

This morning, I brought out the broom again to get the leash. Handle through loop and then Ben barked and got up but it worked.

The new muzzle arrived. I don't know if it fits or not. Is it too close to his eyes? Too much nose room in the front? Can he open his mouth enough? I'm waiting to see what the trainer says. I've removed the photos of Ben with the muzzle. It just reminds me of how sad his story was.

Euthanasia keeps coming to mind for Ben. He isn't an easy dog. He's had 4 years of bad behaviour. I understand he was kept in a kennel in a garage three of those years and pretty much starved but it doesn't make him any easier to live with now, knowing that. We can't leave him with anyone to go on vacation nor can we leave him in a kennel because he goes ballistic in one. We want to take him with us but he isn't ready nor do I know if he'll ever be ready to go on a camping vacation or be able to stay in a rented cabin. I did not know what I was getting when I picked him up. I still love the big guy but when he growls at me when I pull a hair the wrong way, it upsets me because I have to stop what I'm doing. He controls the situation and he knows it. Hence, the muzzle, if I ever get one that fits.