Alpha Dog Cont'

Today I feel more like trodden dog than alpha. Like a snap of my arthritic fingers, my playful and mild mannered Pippi has turned 180 degrees, pulling a Jeckle and Hyde, and has become a wild dog. She must have passed into the adolescent phase overnight two nights ago because she woke up acting like the Hulk in his full greenness, and hasn't much slowed down, except when she somersaults  into a sleep. This, unfortunately seems to occur only when I am out and about. When I am here, which is most of the time, she is on me like white on rice; because, I am very sad to say,  I have lost my alpha dog status. I am sure I am now in her little mind considered one of her siblings, a very big and reactive and therefore very fun to play with, one at that. ....  I have thought her well.

My salvation is the upcoming Puppy Kindergarden she will start in a couple of weeks. Down here in Florida, it is recommended not to take your dog out and about amongst other dogs or on grass that you don't know who or what has walked or deposited on it. Up in Michigan I never ran into that problem. I've been told that down here there because there is no freezing weather, so no frozen bugs. Hence, bad bugs live forever - not really, but better safe than sorry.  Bottom line, I will be very happy when she has had all her shots and we can walk and frolic with other dogs.