I’ve noticed a change at home over the past few months. It was fairly subtle at first, but it’s suddenly become a whole lot more obvious to me – I think Eccles is jealous of Fiji!
Eccles is my retired guide dog. She’s now almost 13 years old and, while still in very good health, is definitely feeling her age a little. So, I don’t think it’s that she wants to come and walk with me in Fiji’s place, I think she’s just jealous of the attention that Fiji gets.
I didn’t even really notice the first signs. When Fiji and I got ready for a walk Eccles would come and hang around us. Honestly, I thought she was just being a Labrador and wanting to get her share of the treats that Fiji receives for good behaviour.
Then it became obvious that Eccles was feeling a bit left out. She would push her way between Fiji and me when we were playing, forcing Fiji away from me. Yes, I know that sounds crazy – a gentle 13 year old dog pushing an energetic 2.5 year old out of the way… but that’s what happened.
Then yesterday the green-eyed monster rose to new heights? depths?
As Fiji leaned down to drink from her water bowl, Eccles shoved her out the way and began to drink Fiji’s water.
This probably begs a word of explanation to understand why it’s such an issue. For some inexplicable reason Fiji WILL NOT drink if another dog has already had water from the bowl. I know it’s weird, but it’s just the way she is. So I tipped the remaining water into the other dog bowl, refilled it and… Eccles went for it again! Only this time I grabbed her and held her back until Fiji had finished.
I know I’m probably humanising the way Eccles is feeling more than is warranted… but Well… if it looks like the green-eyed monster and it acts like the green-eyed monster, then… But I wonder if it’s the Black Labrador half that’s turning green, or the Golden Retriever. Hmm… A Green Labrador? A Green Retriever?
Maybe I should just make sure I give Eccles lots of love, a few dog treats every now and then – and an occasional bowl of water all of her own.
Love this story, being an animal lover myself. So awesome….