The other morning after we put the dogs out, I set up a big, fluffy bed for blind Helen on the deck outside the front door. This is where the double ramps come off the house. After she did her business out in the yard, I walked her back up the ramp and guided her to the bed. She laid down on it and settled in for a nap. Helen loves this spot and this is "her" bed, the one she sleeps on at night in the dog wing.
Well, less than ten minutes later, I was walking down the hall and looked outside, only to see that somehow Bailey the Dachshund had commandeered the bed and Helen was now lying on the deck. I don't know how this happened ... whether the 12-pound munchkin pestered the 90-pound Rottweiler into giving up her bed (likely), or whether Helen had lumbered off the soft, comfy bed on her own accord to lie on the hard, wooden deck (unlikely).
However it happened, in the end the switch was made and the Dachshund got the bed. We've since sent a memo to our bedding and accommodations manager, Mr. Smith, asking that he place more beds on that deck in the future.
I'm flattered that this particular bed is sometimes used by Helen, because I'm one of her greatest fans. Not that it will prevent Bailey's antics, but please tell the Chief Bedding Officer that more "fluff" will be on the way soon now that you're all settling in so beautifully in NH. We find "cozy" is always in season.
Posted by: Margaret | July 06, 2010 at 03:10 PM
Well, from the looks of the bed it does look like it could be shared IF Bailey wasn't completely stretched out on it to keep anyone from sharing it! My, my Helen does take it all with such grace though! Yes, Mr. Smith does need to supply more bedding! Not really sure if that would be the answer though. Seems like the Dachshunds would find a way to horde all of them & the big dogs will still be looking for a soft, comfy spot! Sweet Helen!!!
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | July 05, 2010 at 08:13 PM
Well, as the owner of one dachshund-chi mix, let me say they are a determined little breed. And I love them!!
Posted by: Adele in the Bronx | July 05, 2010 at 05:40 PM
Since posting my comment yesterday, I've been thinking about Miss Helen, blind, 3 legs, grueling chemo and its side effects and now the "biggest" challenge of her life, pip-squeek Bailey! She takes it all with such grace. As for Mr. Steve, I'm sure he can be retrained. He too has been under a great deal of pressure lately. He was without his "mate" for over a month and in the nature of things that just isn't right!
Welcome, Alayne!
Posted by: Kathleen Rivard | July 03, 2010 at 11:25 AM
Hmmmmm......I am noticing a pattern here....it appears that Doxies and Chihuahuas are the BMOC's (big man on campus) of the doggie world. Imagine if we could harness all that chutzpah and use it for the good of animal-kind rather than just for domineering all the comfy spots in our homes!!
Posted by: Marla | July 03, 2010 at 11:04 AM
How cute is that! Helen is just such a laid back girl. The little dogs think they are big dogs in a small body...the smallest dog in my house (45 lbs.) is the boss and the other 2 know better than to push their luck. I hope that management has made the requested changes to the bedding arrangements :)
Posted by: Ann | July 03, 2010 at 12:30 AM
I dunno, Steve. We've had dogs that declined a perfectly soft and comfortable bed in favor of a snooze on hard concrete. Or, the body would be on the bed but the head would be hanging off on the hard concrete. You know why they do that? Because they want to.
Posted by: Bruce Small | July 02, 2010 at 10:47 PM
My dachshunds say "hee hee hee...a high five to Bailey!"
Posted by: Penny Heinrich | July 02, 2010 at 08:06 PM
Bailey! Shame on you. Isn't it funny how little dogs think they're the big dogs and call the shots, while the big dogs think they're in little bodies and get bossed around? Too funny. I guess the dog bed test will show the truth: Put 2 dog beds out with 2 dashounds and Helen, and if Helen is still w/o a bed we'll know the answer!
Posted by: Aliza | July 02, 2010 at 05:02 PM
What a little sneaky stinker Bailey is, Helen is sweet to give in to the moppet!
Posted by: Doe George | July 02, 2010 at 02:23 PM
Uh oh, Bailey must have learned 'the stare' technique for getting ones way from Widget. I see it works both ways, coming from a blind dog who wants something someone else has AND to a blind dog that has something the starer wants. Sweet Helen didnt have a chance. Glad to know the bedding & accommodations manager is on top of things!!
Posted by: Anne in Florida | July 02, 2010 at 01:28 PM
MEMO:
TO: BAA MGR
FROM: HELEN
Please hurry and remedy this less than optimal bedding situation! That munchkin not only took my bed but is posing resplendently on it! The indignity of it all.
Posted by: Angela | July 02, 2010 at 11:58 AM
Dachshunds can be so rude. If they want a spot, they WILL get it, regardless of who they sit, squeeze, scoot, wriggle, or smoosh on.
Posted by: Amy | July 02, 2010 at 11:32 AM
I bought a large bed with a free standing hood over it that would have allowed for several dogs to cuddle up together which is what they loved to do. However, my little "munchkin", Bruiser, decided it only had room for one fourteen pound dog and when he decided he wanted to take a "snooze" on it, everyone else found another bed to nap on......Such is the power of a munchkin!
Posted by: Kathleen Rivard | July 02, 2010 at 10:01 AM
It was sweet of Helen not to make issue of it.....I would expect this type of behavior from Dexter the Dickens rather than Bailey. Sometimes in my house it is not about the size as much as the confident attitude to get the good spots.
Posted by: Marla | July 02, 2010 at 09:50 AM
I'm sure Mr. Smith will get right on that, as he is a multi solver of any situation that comes up. I must admit, that pic is rather comical.
Poor Helen, cheated out of her nice bed by that little pipsqueek, Bailey. Tricky guy.
Big hugs all around,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
Posted by: ginger | July 02, 2010 at 09:13 AM
Too Cute!!
Posted by: Andrea | July 02, 2010 at 08:49 AM
That stinker! :)
Posted by: Ev | July 02, 2010 at 12:22 AM
Poor Helen! I hope the Bedding Officer provided additional accomodations as soon as they could be arranged! Miss Helen looks rather sad at the loss of her bed.
Posted by: Heidi, Emmett the Beagle, and Moxie the kitty | July 01, 2010 at 11:05 PM
as odd as it seems, my 8 lb Chihuahua not only rules the 85 lb Rottwieler, he also has the pit bull and Irish Setter X trained. After 2.5 years, they don't dare cross him.
Glad to see you all together again, and I bought another Rollin Dog Ranch sticker with MONTANA. Take care, Janet
Posted by: Janet A | July 01, 2010 at 09:48 PM
hahaha!
I dog sit a mini dachshund named Perkins, I can tell you that my 2 collies that are 67 pounds each move when Perkins says move!
Posted by: Jolene | July 01, 2010 at 09:11 PM
Dachshunds like Bailey pack a lot of chutzpah in their compact bodies, don't they? What a sweetheart Helen is for not putting Bailey in his place.
Posted by: Margaret S | July 01, 2010 at 09:05 PM
Sweet little ole' Bailey can be a Lil' Stinker! LOL
Poor Helen...... things should improve when the bedding manager gets those other beds lined up!
Posted by: Gena | July 01, 2010 at 07:34 PM
I, too, think that it's a good idea that Mr. Smith place more beds on the deck! Way to go, smart dogs, in getting your point across to management!!!!
Posted by: Nina | July 01, 2010 at 06:59 PM
I don't know how it happens, but it's the same deal at our house. When there's one bed up for grabs and it's Cody (who, if you remember, is BIG) vs. Lio, our chihuahua, Lio always ends up with the bed. Cody's just a big pushover. :)
Posted by: Beth (Scagnelli) Morey | July 01, 2010 at 06:23 PM