Sometimes, Jack Can Be A Little Devil

Jack has adapted quite well to having Scarlett join our family. Even though Farmer H originally thought Jack and Copper Jack were leading the unleashed Scarlett off the property and leaving her, I did not agree. Anyhoo... Jack has never growled or snapped at her, instead following her around, sniffing her butt, humping now and then, and romping.

At first Scarlett ignored Jack, not knowing that she was a DOG. She now interacts with him. Sometimes by growling or snapping when she objects to the humping. She also goes after his food and treats if he's not quick enough.

When I leave for town, it is Jack's time for petting. He is calm and whimpers as if talking back to me, when I hug him on the side porch, and let him put his nose under my lovely lady-mullet. I think he remembers back to when he was a pup, and we sat on the front porch pew, with him crawling around the back of my neck like a heeler/dachshund stole when I put him up on my shoulder to pet him. Scarlett has no interest in me when I leave, other than the thumb-sized scrap of bread I toss both of them. It's when I come back that Scarlett goes nuts.

Return time is for Scarlett-petting. She meets me in the garage. She knows now not to jump up on me. If I open T-Hoe's rear, she will put her feet on the bumper. This is our preferred petting method. She has stopped trying to jump into T-Hoe. She does not put her feet on me. When she leans too heavily on me, creeping to get closer, the petting ends. So she's been better about that. She gets a hug. Then I tell her to get down, so I can carry in groceries.

At the side porch, if I only have my purse and water bottle on my arm, I will pet Scarlett if she stays calm. She is always poised to leap at me. So I have to stand at arm's length, talking calmly, venturing a head pat. If she stays calm, I will go a little closer to pat her back and shoulders and rub her chest. She's always trembling with excitement, just one bad choice away from leaping at my shoulders, teetering on the edge of the porch like a circus elephant on top of a ball.

Jack stands beside Scarlett at these times, and often gets a peripheral pat if Scarlett doesn't notice. An overflow pat, if you will, as my hand slides off of Scarlett momentarily. Other times, Jack goes straight to sniffing Scarlett's butt while she's preoccupied.

Friday, Scarlett was trying SO HARD to be good. To get a more lengthy petting on the side porch. Trembling with excitement, but maintaining her position without springing at me. 

THEN SCARLETT WENT TUMBLING OFF THE PORCH!

Not at all gracefully, like when she makes a leap and I sidestep. This time, she landed half on the steps, half on the sidewalk. I asked is she was okay. She didn't answer, but came back up and got another pat. 

The cause of Scarlett's awkward ejection from the side porch was JACK! He poked her hard, with his nose, in her right haunch. Jack is a sturdy fellow. Muscular. Low to the ground, with digging toenails. He braced himself and HERDED Scarlett right off the porch! Jack used to do this with our black tuxedo cat, Stockings. Poke him right off the porch for sport, even though Stockings clung till the last minute with his claws.

That darn Jack! I guess he might be a little jealous of Scarlett these days.