On Sunday 05.01.2014 we did not walk!
Instead of walking we climbed in the magnificent Vall de Gallinera, starting from the small village called "Benitaya" up to the natural arch on the ridge called "La Forada". Only in the UK and in Canada (two countries situated close to the North Pole) can a stronger and colder wind be found, but nevertheless we all made it to the top. Members of the expedition were: John, Anna, Tony, Sandy, Carmen, Roger, four dogs and your humble servant.
But there is more interesting canine news.
For weeks on end I have witnessed the emotional "agony" of Anna and John as they asked themselves the question: "Do we adopt the lovely "Pastora de los Pirineos" from the charity in Pego or do we let her go?"
"Look Bruno", they both said more than once,"She doesn't bark, she doesn't pull on the leash and she is soooo quiet in the car." I could only agree.
In the Spanish wikipedia I found the following information about Pastor de los Pirineos:
"Se trata de un perro ágil y audaz que sabe atacar a lobos y osos. De carácter testarudo y duro es tímido y reservado con los extraños. Fuerte y rico en energía, sumamente nervioso. Es astuto y siempre está alerta, con gran velocidad en sus movimientos."
This dog is so valiant ("valiente" in Spanish) that she will attack wolfs and bears while defending her flock. She is also stubborn, she can deal with physical hardship and is wary with strangers. She is strong, full of energy, extremely nervous, astute and always on alert.
This is of course nothing else but a general description of the breed and personally I would not call this particular female "nervous".
But yes, we can all see clearly that she is very brave, not easily intimidated by bigger and dominant dogs, extremely agile and full of energy. While she was still in the kennels of the LAPS charity in Pego, Anna and John took to walking her several times per week. In canine language this means that they were offering her the possibility to practice the most important activity in the life of a canine: The Hunt, (which is what we humans call "walking").
This allowed both Anna and John to forge a strong relationship with her in ideal canine circumstances.
As they had already adopted another bitch they are willing to face a new challenge.
They will have to learn how to deal with two assertive bitches.
In the past, when I still enjoyed the company of four canines, I loved to observe their behaviour as a pack. It was easy to see how for instance the younger bitch accepted the dominance of the older one. But the moment the old bitch left for the eternal hunting fields, there was a clear change in the behaviour of the young one. She immediately conquered a higher position in the hierarchy of the pack. Afterwards there never was any kind of trouble in the pack.
But unfortunately I have also known situations in the homes of clients where two bitches could not live together and the only solution for the never ending fighting was to rehome one of them.
Let me finish this newsletter by quoting from the book
"Everything I know about Men I learnt from my Dog", by Clare Staples:
"It is true what they say about it being hard to teach an old dog new tricks but it's not impossible. If you did not get your dog as a puppy, but rather as a mature dog, it will be harder to change her ways. Once a dog has realized what she can get away with when she's had a weak carer she will always try it on with you. You will need a lot of patience but stand your ground."
And as far as men are concerned, this is (amongst many other things) what Clare Staples writes:
"Pay particular attention to how a new man in your life changes when he drinks. If you notice he becomes more aggressive, turns into an idiot, starts flirting with every woman in sight or becomes sarcastic and belittling towards you, GET RID OF HIM."
My advice for Anna and John and their new Pastora de los Pirineos is:
Pay particular attention to the way your new female companion dog from the Pirineos is drinking when there are other dogs around.
On Sunday 12.01.2014
We will walk in the area between Benissa and Calpe, starting from Michelle's home.
Michelle wrote the following:
" Natasha and me will be walking as usual in the morning with our dogs and of course 'the more the merrier'. On Sundays we usually walk a little further about hour and half to 2 hours".
Like usual I will wait for you at the library in Jalón/Xaló from 9.45 till 10.00. Driving to Michelle's home will take less than 15 minutes.
Bring along good walking shoes and your smiles.
Love
Bruno
