----- Original Message ----- From: Larry E. Bigham  Sent: Thursday, August 09, 2001 4:34 PM Subject: What's been goin' on...  Lessee if'n I can get most of it into this e-mail, it's been a VERY  interesting last couple days, to say the least and yes it's mostly about Gina.  I've been so surprised and proud of her it's even stronger than what a new daddy feels, along with being almost unbelievable to me and I'm betting it will be to you too. Sunday morning, just starting to turn the corner to Lesa's old house and hadn't come from that direction before, but Gina knew where we were and got bent outa shape when I made her get back into her backseat as we pulled up.  There was Lesa standing there and when she opened the door Gina greeted her with banging tail and lotsa licks "Hello." After unloading the Bronco from the trailer we came back to the house and I let Gina out on the rope to meet the girls and neighbor standing out front.  Naturally she barked at them and didn't like them strangers, just like she's supposed to and then she'd turn to look at me for approval.  I told her it was OK a couple times and she cautiously  approached'em to check out and come back to me.  So far, so good, she said she wouldn't have'em for breakfast then. Different story when meeting Lesa's two dogs thru the fence, curiosity nose to nose, then the shit hit the fan and I just kept telling her it was OK and she should quit that.  Was expecting to have this problem for weeks, especially when they came into Gina's house, not to mention what might happen with four more cats and a kitten not as big as her muzzle. OK, now for the kids'n I'll get back to the other animals later.  First to ride with us was Jessie 'cause she's the small one.  Gina was in her back seat and I had to tell her a couple times that it was OK for Jessie to get in, which she begrudgingly allowed.  Down the road a bit Jessie turned around towards me and Gina gave a warning snap-bark (didn't snap at Jessie, but that kind of bark) and I told her "No," so she sat back and just watched us for a bit.  About an hour later Jessie was munching on potato chips and asked me if I thought Gina'd want one, so I told her to offer one.  Bribery works, Gina took the chip without a hitch, then proceeded to rest her chin on the back of the seat waiting for "her" next one.  Wasn't long before Jessie was rubbing Gina's head and saying nice things to her and getting a lick or two back to say things were OK.  No more problem with Jessie and Gina, period. Almost a repeat the next day when Kayla rode with us and it's been that way since, no re-introductions needed and both accepted without a hitch.  The first day we got the cooler unloaded around noon, then went to the river and laid down.  Gina's never been great about the water, but she came out to see why I was sitting in about two feet of it and I had her sit down too, then washed water all over her to cool her off and she knew what I was doing and was OK with it.  Then she decided she liked it and started running back and forth, all the while on her long rope because the two other dogs were on leashes too, altho every time we stopped we let them get a sniff or so of each other so's they were no longer strangers, they still hadn't been let off the leashes and rope to meet. Anyway, Jessie came wading back up towards us and Gina made a couple little jumps with her front end and barked at her, but I think she wanted to play and was complaining because Jessie didn't chase her like she was supposed to to play.  Same with Kayla, but I was really surprised and proud about how she accepted them as if she knew what was going on. Outa the river all three dogs'd sniff'n check each other out, no more open growling or animosity, soooooooooooooo, which will be first to meet Gina off the leash?  Being the oldest I figured Shayenne'd be the one giving the most problem, but it was just the opposite.  They sniffed'n checked each other out, then started to play, kinda like me trying to play at the pace of Jessie, but they were fine.  Back on the leash for Shayenne and then it's Belle's turn, the one I figured'd be all play. Nope, she had to learn the hard way, more than once, who was boss dog.  Once she got her ass whipped a couple times she settled down and then they played too, a more even match for age and agility. OK, time to try it with all three loose.  Wasn't long before the shit hit the fan again.  Belle got snippy with Gina and found out again what a mistake that was, but being the "old lady" of the bunch (old fuddy-duddy'd fit better) Shayenne had to jump in with her two cents and they doubled up on Gina, finding out pretty quickly that that was another mistake, they both got their asses whipped good at the same time and then Gina went over and laid down in the shade for a bit. Back home and it's time to see how it's gonna work when they enter "Gina's house."  All were again on leashes and I opened the door and Gina and I stood to the side as Shayenne and Belle stepped in cautiously to check out this new place.  Gina just stood there without batting an eyelid, and after they'd checked out the house we were all back outside for a few more minutes.  Then Gina and I went into the kitchen (Gina had her "business" leash on) and we sat there as first Shayenne, then Belle were brought in on leashes.  Gina sorta checked'em out and then said "screw it" and they were let loose first, but I kept the short leash on Gina for quite awhile until I was pretty satisfied there wouldn't be blood all over.  Within about an hour all three were loose.  There've been a few squabbles, a couple with Shayenne and Belle doubling up on Gina, but nothing unexpected as they settled who was who. Until we almost had the whole shebang unloaded that is, then the worst ruckus happened.  I was sitting on the sidewall of the pickup bed and Gina wanted to come up, but she was looking at an angle and couldn't get her footing right.  Belle (she decided she liked me from our FIRST meeting in June) was closest to me and like Gina learning from Nutty who I belonged to, she also learned the hard way when she snapped at Gina for trying to get up with me.  I'll give her this, she don't back down easy and Gina really got kinda nasty with'er about things, but then the old lady had to add her two cents and she got the worst lesson she'd had too.  I just sat there and let'em settle it between themselves, it's gonna happen again too I figure, and when they'd both found out who I belonged to and who was gonna rule the roost Gina got up and laid down at my feet and we all relaxed for a few. I've really been surprised how little concern Gina's shown about new cats in the house, but Frieda's not been exactly ecstatic about it, except with the little one, I thought I was gonna laugh so hard I'd pee my damned pants last night watching them.  The little one is about 5 weeks old and not even as big as Gina's muzzle, but thinks she's a fucking tiger.  I started calling her "Blender" and telling them I was gonna stick her in the blender'n add some onion and garlic and make spaghetti sauce outa her and the name's stuck.  Anyway, Frieda was under the desk this sits on and Blender came out next to her.  Frieda'd reach out and give a little swat to'er and the little shit'd swat back at  her.  Frieda'd swat, then roll over on her side wanting to play and Blender'd swat her back, it was hilarious and went on about five minutes.  Of course the battery for the camcorder was being charged and  I got no video of it. Got some video this morning tho of Blender'n Gina.  Blender decided to attack Gina'n then back off, so Gina'd reach out with a paw'n hold'er down a minute.  They'd be nose to nose checking each other out and Gina was about as gentle as Nutty used to be, she's done nothing but give me one nice surprise after another since Sunday. So now you're sorta caught up with the saga of Gina meeting the new family, the house looks like a disaster hit it 'cause we've gotta find where to stick everything.  Everyone's still snoring except Blender, she's squawking a little, but just talking and now I'll go read the mail  I just looked at last night.  *G*     ----- Original Message ----- From: Larry E. Bigham  Sent: Monday, August 13, 2001 12:59 AM Subject: Family additions... In the back is Belle, one of my new shadows (10 year old Jessie is the other) and Gina has OK'd the idea of sharing me with both without bloodshed.  The little "tiger" is Blender, the one I named because she'd fit into one and with a little onion and garlic she'd make excellent spaghetti sauce, maybe.   *G*  Then my own Gina and she likes to pick up Blender and carry her around once in awhile, gently. No special reason for this, just thought I'd share it, Larry