Playing Fetch with Mariah in the Backyard

The other afternoon when I came home from work, I went out into our backyard to spend some time with my stepson's dog, Mariah.

Mariah is as good as dogs come.

Mariah was part of my wife's family even before I came onto the scene. She was a puppy when I first met her, and she has always been a sweet, good dog. She is a little large to be in the house, however, and so she has always lived outdoors. She has a comfortable dog house, and when it gets too cold we let her sleep in the garage. I have gone so far as to take an old blanket, and tucked it in between the two halves of her doghouse so that it can fold over the top. It adds a little extra insulation, and the end of the blanket hangs over the front opening of the doghouse enough that Mariah will grab it, and tuck it around her body so that it seals the opening, and keeps her warm.

She's a smart dog, and she has always looked out for the other animals. When Athena was still alive, if she some how got out through the sliding glass door that opened up onto the back patio, Mariah would bark in a particular way to alert us, and would simultaneously herd Athena back towards the patio door. She has done the same thing with the other cats, and we could always tell when one got out by the tone of Mariah's bark. I trust Mariah to guard our house while we are away, and to take care of Jackie and Angel as well. I honestly do consider her invaluable.

When I went out to see her, Jackie and Angel of course wanted to go outside, too. Angel busied himself by sniffing around the bushes, but Jackie wanted to horn in on the game of fetch I was playing with Mariah. We have a small patch of grass in our backyard that ends just under the shade of the avocado tree. (If you know anything of avocado trees, then you know grass doesn't grow under one.) The previous owners put bark under the avocado tree, so it is a bit tricky for Jackie to navigate through it on her spindly little legs.

When I would throw the tennis ball, Mariah would take off like a shot. Jackie understands the concept of a handicap, so she stayed way down under the avocado tree so she could make a play for the ball when it got down there. You might think that it is dangerous for a sixty pound dog that can run very fast to compete with a six pound dog for a ball in a game of fetch. But Mariah is very conscious of Jackie's size, and goes out of her way to avoid hurting her.

Mariah and Jackie looking for the tennis ball. Mariah found the ball first. While Jackie and Mariah played ball, Angel was off smelling flowers. I sometimes wonder if Papa is TOO in touch with his feminine side. He has grown up with nothing but sisters, after all. That little blur running down there is Jackie chasing after the tennis ball. She uses the stepping stones to make it as far as she can into the bark, then she has to slow way down because the bark is too unstable for her little legs. Once she gets to the ball she discovers her mouth is just too little to pick it up. If she can find a loose piece of the ball's skin that she can latch onto, then she will pick it up that way. Otherwise she paws at it trying to get it to understand her intentions. After the game, they all came in for a drink, and to lay on the cool cement.

It's great how well these three dogs get along together. I also find it a hoot that the smallest of the three, Jackie, is the dominate dog in the pack. She sleeps where she wants, eat when she wants, and pretty much keeps the other two in line. When Mariah starts barking at some intruder, either real, (possum,) or imagined, Jackie is right there next to her yapping away as if she were ten times her own size.

Dogs are great.

So there we have yet another exciting chapter in the lives of Jacqueline and Angel. Until next week, please go check out the Carnival of the Dogs at Mickey's Musings, and the Friday Ark at The Modulator for more interesting animals.

Posted by Jeff at May 17, 2007 7:40 AM