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So I didn’t really tell Twitter this because we’ve been settling in, but allow me to formally introduce you all to my new houseguest:
Meet Béla.
Meet Béla.
Béla (Bey-la) has two goals in life:
1. Sleep as much as possible
2. Protect his pack and his house at any cost
1. Sleep as much as possible
2. Protect his pack and his house at any cost
Belly is also a very anxious boy, and is frequently preoccupied with being on the lookout for The Biggest Threat: houseflies.
He does not fight the houseflies. He believes he cannot beat them. Instead, Belly hides from them and awaits the sweet release from his torment.
He does not fight the houseflies. He believes he cannot beat them. Instead, Belly hides from them and awaits the sweet release from his torment.
(Video caption: “Live look at Belly, as he hides - ineffectually hides- under the desk)
Béla is a very big boy too - a whole head taller and even longer than my dog JJ.
They get along alright, though JJ is *very suspicious* of this interloper and Béla is *very suspicious* that this redheaded doggo might steal all his food.
They get along alright, though JJ is *very suspicious* of this interloper and Béla is *very suspicious* that this redheaded doggo might steal all his food.
(That shaggy look is how he arrived at our house - even dogs had pandemic haircut problems, y’all.)
Béla is a Komondor, an old breed from Hungary. You might be more familiar with their typical look: Mop Dog.
Béla is a Komondor, an old breed from Hungary. You might be more familiar with their typical look: Mop Dog.
Komondors are a special kind of breed known as Livestock Guardian Dogs. LGDs are still generally bred for working with animals, not necessarily to be pets - and because of that, they are ooooold breeds, with much less human intervention or modification.
If dogs were given superlatives, JJ’s would be “Needy”.
Béla’s would be “Stubborn.”
Béla’s would be “Stubborn.”
Y’all. This dog could not care less about what humans want him to do. As far as he is concerned, we are just naked sheep that he has to take care of.
When he listens and follows directions, he never lets you forget that he’s doing it because he wants to, not because he has to.
When he listens and follows directions, he never lets you forget that he’s doing it because he wants to, not because he has to.
This is something that I have struggled with. I’m used to dogs who are very interested in pleasing their owners, and who live for praise and treats.
But Béla doesn’t care about treats, or praise. He cares (mostly) about watching. That’s about it.
But Béla doesn’t care about treats, or praise. He cares (mostly) about watching. That’s about it.
I worried that I was doing something wrong when he grumbled at me, or snapped at the air, or didn’t eat for several days in a row (no matter what I put in his bowl to entice him.)
Then it hit me all at once: this dog has boundaries.
Then it hit me all at once: this dog has boundaries.
he’s not interested in pleasing me, because he’s doing a Very Important Job: Looking for Threats.
He has hard and soft boundaries, and he’s communicating them to me, while doing his job!
For most people, I’m sure it would be obvious, but it really wasn’t to me (initially.)
He has hard and soft boundaries, and he’s communicating them to me, while doing his job!
For most people, I’m sure it would be obvious, but it really wasn’t to me (initially.)
Once I was able to recognize that he had very specific limits, it made life so much happier for us both. I’m less concerned about him following directions, and more interested in giving him the space he needs to do His Job.
Not physical space, mind you: Belly wants to be UP IN YOUR BUSINESS.
He’s also extremely classy, and loves Mozart - all baroque music, but Mozart especially.(yes, I have played him other music. No, he did not react to it like he does to Mozart.)
He’s also extremely classy, and loves Mozart - all baroque music, but Mozart especially.(yes, I have played him other music. No, he did not react to it like he does to Mozart.)
Caption: “He’s been very anxious in the house because of the flies that have inexplicably been around, but he was much better today and we’re playing him his favourite Mozart because he’s a bougie ass bish” 1/2
Caption: “and he’s literally bumped up - I don’t know if you can see he’s bumped up against my chair- so he can be as close as he WANTS to be, because this is a bish who loves BOUNDARIES. Oh he’s a good boy.” 2/2
We’re still learning each other, but I’m deeply grateful for the people that brought him into my life. He’s an ever present reminder that we thrive when given the space and energy to be ourselves.
Caption: munching sounds as Belly enjoys some popcorn
Caption: munching sounds as Belly enjoys some popcorn
Let me leave this thread with one last thing: a gratuitous shot of Belly wrapped up in a blanket because he was chilly following his haircut.
I love him, y’all. What a Good Dog.
I love him, y’all. What a Good Dog.
