When Pigs Fly...or when Bullies become biddable

Firstly you have to know that I had been looking for a miniature bull terrier for almost two years before Jet arrived. She wasn't the puppy I was hoping for...but rather a 16-month old finished champion looking for a good home. The words "trial basis" came out of my mouth (yeah right - like you ever send them back) before I knew what I was saying and the rest is history. Leading up to her arrival I had been building a 'bully survival kit" mostly thanks to my mother. We had 'indestructable toys" (two words that don't go together when referring to bull terriers), leashes, balls, and most of all my guide to dealing with a bully...a book entitled "When Pigs Fly" (if you haven't read it - get it!).

Now I knew my bully would be 'different' than my smooth collie, I was in the know - hmmmm sure. I just wasn't completely sure just exactly how much different she would be.

Let me give you some examples... collies look at you adoringly ALL the time...Jet looks at you SOMETIMES, when she feels like it and then quickly decides there are better things to occupy her time. Collies play nicely with toys..in fact my 14 year old (may he rest in peace) smooth collie still had toys he had as a puppy when he passed away...Bullies can destroy any toy in 3.5 seconds.

We started by placing all soft plush toys on top of the 7ft armoire which held the TV...lets just say that only lasted so long as one determined bully KNEW where the toys were put and promptly started to put gouges in the front of the beautiful pine armoire (no mom was not impressed) in an effort to launch herself to the top. Moving said toys into a plastic container with a lid was the next effort - caught that one on video (will post to youtube when I figure out how)...yes she managed through sheer will and determination, including flipping it upside down, driving it down the hallway and back at full tilt. to remove said lid from box and get at her beloved toys. Only way to 'hide' toys from Jet is to make sure she is out of the house, bundle them up and move them to a hidden location and then hope like heck she can't smell them through the cupboard door...almost worked...you are getting the picture.

Next post...let sleeping bullies lie.