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Monday, March 19, 2012

Ramsey the Guard Dog

Don't worry, don't worry, we don't really encourage our dogs to be guard dogs - at least, not in the Hollywood-movie, killer-chihuahua-doberman-behind-the-junkyard-fence type guard dogs.

They do all bark at strange noises, and sometimes not-so-strange noises (really, Pablo - EVERY time I close the bathroom door?). The difference between them all, though? Suvi barks because she wants whomever is outside to come in so she can lick them to death. Pablo barks 'cause he's sure whomever is outside wants to steal his breakfast or his babies, and Ramsey barks because
she's worried about her family.

Ever the momma dog, Ramsey is - even though she's never been a real momma. She worries about Pablo, when someone (Suvi) zooms too close to him. She worries about him when she jumps on the bed or on the couch - she LITERALLY will not jump up until she's sniffed around to ensure he's not under the nearest pile of blankets to her target. And bonus - she's taught Suvi to do the same. Crazy, energetic, can't wait to jump on top of everything, Suvi - now checks for Pablo before she jumps.

Ramsey worries about Dad. If Suvi licks him too much, she gets a little upset. Or when Suvi jumps at him - they have a game where she jumps in his arms, and he throws her, she lands on her feet, and comes back for more - Ramsey gets a little protective.

Ramsey worries about Suvi. Really. It's still unbelievable to me - these two are really like sisters... She worries that her ears aren't clean enough, and forces Suvi's head down on the couch so she can clean her ears - still one of the funniest things I've ever seen. She worries when Chad holds Suvi upside down (I swear Suvi loves it), and she isn't within licking distance.

Most amazing to me though, is that she worries about me. I don't mean she "worries" like she's a nervous nelly all the time (well, sometimes..). I mean worries, as in protects....often without us even realizing it's what she's doing.

For example, the other night, there was some commotion going on outside - the neighbors remodeling and loading up a dumpster or something. The windows and patio door were open, and Ramsey could hear it, but not see. She barked a few times, paced, and then firmly planted herself in front of me on the couch, where I was laying. She effectively pinned me to the couch in spooning position, and was not about to let me go anywhere. I looked at Chad like "what the hell is she doing?!" and he explained that she was protecting me. Sure enough, the racket stopped, and I was allowed up.

She apparently feels like I need more protection than Chad, which I'm sure makes him feel better about the times he leaves us home alone! I'll admit, it feels pretty good to have someone lookin' out for you when you maybe aren't even aware it's necessary...I think she gets it from her Dad.




17 comments:

  1. Hah, Ramsey thought Chad could fend for himself!

    Elka isn't really a barker, but there are times when people are active next door, or across the street, and she's up in arms about that. It's not a big deal, just kind of a pain to keep an eye on her and manage/redirect after the first bark.

    An alert, I don't mind. Manic barking, I don't dig.

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    1. Ditto. We definitely have our "manic barking" moments in this house - usually one starts it, and the other join in without really knowing what they're barking at. We're working on that part, but in general, there are a few alerting barks and done. Unless Chad asks Ramsey where the "here kitty, kitties" are....don't even get me STARTED on that...

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    2. Oh, the three of them must just feed off of one another!

      There are times Elka will "mohawk" and start to go about something that she sees (or imagines she sees) outside, and after I tell her "thank you, all done", my fiance will then try to egg her on instead.

      Of course, guess who she listens to? ^^

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  2. Very typical Doberman behavior. Feel honored that she wants to protect you. :) Our male Spock will protect me instead of my husband even though he is much more bonded to his dad. I guess their instincts tell them that we females need more protecting. ;)

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  3. My Abby will protect me as well. When I had surgery anyone wanting to see me in my room had to pass by my "guard" who would not move from infront of the bedroom door. She also understood Mommy needed rest and would only come in if my blood sugar level got too low. ( I am diabetic and Abby instictively knows when I am low and fusses, whines whatever it takes to get me up). Dobes are amazing!

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    1. Dogs in general are amazing. The fact that service dogs (and others) can detect health issues (low blood sugars, seizures) that aren't visible blows my mind. Gotta love 'em!

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  4. oh, yes, I know this behavior all too well with our Dobe boy.... he is constantly at work, checking on everyone, very protective of our other smaller dog too. Our Doberman is so very caring too, if I say ouch or something ( i tend to burn my self while cooking, haha) he comes running and checks on me all concerned!! He is so loving and caring. They really are the best!

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  5. You are profoundly blessed! Enjoy the fur babies.

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  6. Our Dobie, Joey does the same thing. Places herself between us and whatever she is suspicious of. If it (noise, movement, whatever, comes closer, she starts a low growl. If it comes into sight, especially quickly, she goes into her "come any closer and I'll tear your head off" growl/bark. Then, when she sees who or what it is, she starts her "come play with me" dance/whine. LOL, she puts up a mean front but would not hurt a fly. Still, with all the bad unknowns out there, it's comforting to know that one creature will put herself between you and harm.

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    1. Haha, that's exactly it! It's funny to almost "see" that switch in their heads that flips from Danger to Fun!

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  7. What a amazing story!!! Yall are very blessed to have such wonderful babies. You don't know how much joy and laughter they bring me when I am sad, angry or upset. I lost my chihuahua in Nov. '11 and a part of me died with him. By watching Ramsey, Suvi, and Pablo has really been great therapy for me.

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  8. Perhaps Ramsey and times sees Pablo as her baby? I know my chihuahua the only time she showed any vast amount of aggression in terms of protecting us was when this cable guy showed up, yet was stupid enough not to say who he was through the closed door. Instead he stood there which freaked my mom and me out. Chloe our six pound chihuahua went into attack dog mode, something we never saw her do. The fur on her back was sticking straight up and her bark was angry and vicious. It made us very proud she was willing to protect us. The interesting thing however is that in my family for some reason she saw me as the baby and in the mornings would insist on licking my ears until she was satisfied.

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  9. Aww Ramsey is the best. I just love her. What an awesome family you have.
    LOL at Suvi jumping in to Chad's arms. My father is trying to create the same game with my Italian Greyhound, but I guess she only jumps up when she feels like it.

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  10. My Pug Mugsy has to start barking when he realizes company is leaving...we thought the word bye was the trigger, so we stopped saying it used Cio and other terms, didnt work it is the random hug or picking up your purse he just understands the tone when your leaving...btw he has taught our new Chi exactly when to bark also!!! So now when company is leaving it is a game to sneak out past the dogs...LIfe is always interesting when the four legged children run the house!!!

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    1. They're so perceptive, aren't they? Love it!

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  11. Reminds me of Sleepy my lab who lives in heaven now. She had to "mother" everyone too.

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