We’ve also discovered what a dog actually acts like (apparently we forgot). You see, our other dog, Axel, tends to be rather cat-like in nature. He’s super mellow (although he wasn’t always that way), and he knows what each of his commands mean. Does that mean he’ll necessarily execute? Um, no. He definitely expects that we’ll provide him with some incentive. The best way to put it, is that I can almost see the thought bubbles coming out of his head while he rolls his eyes and thinks, “*sigh* - really guys? Yeah – I’ll think about it and get back to you”.
On the other hand, you can hear Geisha coming like a freight train anytime she even thinks she’s being called. She bounces around like, “you want me? Do ya? Do ya? I thought maybe you wanted me, so I decided to come just in case. No? Oh – well, ok – don’t worry, I’ll just keep checking in…”. Geisha’s got that loyal dog bit down to a science. When she looks at you, you just feel like you’re the only person in her world. Oh – and she purrs. When you pet her, or when she’s happy about something, she purrs.
The other funny thing about she and her new brother Axel, is that their traits would make you think that we (as owners) are confused as to their gender. Axel is very delicate and – dare I say – dainty (if a boxer/pit can be dainty, that is)? When he hops up to the back door to be let in, you hear just a ‘click-click’ of his nails on the window. When Geisha wants in? Well, she generally comes flying in at full speed, and throws herself at the back door. She hasn’t figured out how to gain any traction either, so when she jumps up, her paws/claws hit the glass and immediately slide to each side so her face is smooshed into the window. All this time, she’s making this awful mewling sound as if to herald her arrival. You can’t help but laugh to yourself every time she comes to the door. Axel nibbles his food (usually taking a bite, and then wandering around, and then going back for another, and so on). Geisha buries her face into her dish and comes up with crunched up food bits flying everywhere. Ditto with the water. They also seem to take on each other’s roles in the way they walk. Axel could be compared to an Arabian horse. Sort of “prancy”. Geisha is like a Belgian or a Clydesdale. She is all muscle. And that girl gives a whole new meaning to, “can I get some fries with that shake?”…In one way, Geisha’s TOTALLY the girl, though. Axel LOVES to roll around in crap. Literally. Or something dead. Or dirt. Geisha? She’ll have none of that, thank you very much. She is a LADY. (And we DO thank her VERY much)
I don’t reference their similarities/differences to compare them – only to better illustrate all of the character they bring into our home. Geisha has added to our family. She’s added memories and funny stories and love. She’s given Axel companionship and has given my son someone his ‘own age’ to play with. She’s given us another pal to go on a walk with and discover new things with. She is a constant source of warmth and energy. Dog rescue is a remarkable thing. You’re out finding family members for us. We didn’t know it when you did it, and neither did Geisha…but that’s what you did. You saved her for us. We now have a family member we wouldn’t have had otherwise. We have this being that will grow with us, and make memories with us, and share our life with us – and we wouldn’t have had her (or Axel) if not for you and organizations like you. I sit here scrunching my nose at that. How strange to think of life without a couple of our family members? They were meant to be with us. Period. So – in a way – you don’t just rescue the dogs, you know. Where would Mason be without his “Geish”? J
Thanks for all you do.
~Kari A.