Delilah, a whirling a bundle of energy, came to us in December as a foster, housebroken but untrained, a work in progress. She is reported to be black lab smooth collie cross but she could put a greyhound to shame in a race.
Delilah immediately made friends with Buttons, our daughter’s cat, and learned to stay out of Fairway’s reach. She took Duke, the Ridgeback under her wing, herding him around by the collar, inside and out. In January we were approached by someone interested in adopting her but we just couldn’t do it. She had wormed her way into our hearts. Knowing the effort and patience that would be required to train her she just had to stay. So she became our Della, buddy and tormenter of long suffering Duke, also a rescue, saved from a puppy farm.
So we worked our way through puppygarten, bribed with treats all the way, and now we are working on social skills. We live for the day when she doesn’t greet all visits with front paws outstretched and grasps the concept of four on the floor. I am sure the neighbours will also be delighted when she finally learns that all comers do not have to be serenaded and warmly welcomed to the neighbourhood.
She has joined a pack for daily visits to the off leash area and quite a pack it is, a Roddy, a Jack Russell, a Papillon and a Ridgeback, definitely a motley crew. She does well with the herd, running up and down the hills, burning off what appears to be endless energy. At least until some unsuspecting owner tosses a ball. Then the race is on. You see Della has not yet grasped the concept of share the ball or bring it back.
Having been a stray for at least part of the first year of her life Della decided that any and all food is up for grabs. When she first came to us, she would gather up all the toys, bones and food scraps she could get and keep them between her paws. Her motto, if I see it, smell it and can reach it, it’s mine. But she has learned to share the bones and toys and we have adjusted with the people food. No food gets left on the counter, which is great for cleanup and there are never crumbs left lying around. The garbage bag never gets left available or a second will be required.
All that being said, there is nothing like a bouncing bundle of energy, who greets you first thing in the morning, the second you open your eyes. Without her unbridled passion for life and endless affection for all who enter our door, it would be strangely quiet in our house. She loves the world and everyone one in it and she is a blessing in our lives.