Did you have a nice, long weekend? It was a pretty chillax weekend at Stone Manor.
We had a cookout on Sunday, I always love having my family around me, especially the little ones.
Even though we teach our grandchildren, nieces and nephews to respect the dogs, they are dogs after-all and should always be watched.
I don’t want to say the kids are afraid of the dogs, although upon the initial entrance, they tend to shy away. I think that’s mostly because the dogs are big and rambunctious and eager to greet everyone.
After a few minutes the kids are running around creating chaos and the dogs are looking for a safe place to hunker down.
Normally the kids can do whatever they want when they are at my house, but when it comes to the dogs I am very strict.
I don’t allow them to feed the dogs (unless we are with them) or to go near the dogs dishes when they are eating.
There is no hitting, only nice petting and absolutely no jumping over the dogs.
We do however encourage gentle interaction with the dogs. So imagine my delight when Hubby was preparing the dog’s dinner the other night and I captured this photo of my little niece.
I wasn’t quick enough with my camera to capture her with her arms around both dogs, but this one with Sampson is so adorable.
If you notice, she has her head turned slightly towards Delilah. I’m not sure if you can see it in the picture, but Delilah was beginning to drool, which had my little niece totally engrossed.
Almost immediately after this picture was taken, she knelt down on the floor underneath Delilah and stared and pointed at the drool.
Auntie what’s that?
That my dear is Delilah confirming Pavlov’s theory.
Hey Sampson, Hey Delilah, Jet here. Hi Miss Jodi.
Awwww… sooo cute. We like your rules, too… makes for safe, fun times. 🙂
That is a very sweet picture! Though I’m sure your dogs are great with kids, in this picture I think they have no idea a kid is present…they are too entranced by the culinary smells.
Great way to classically condition positive associations with kids 🙂
That is just the cutest picture. Good for you for teaching the little ones how to act around dogs.
Hi, We agree with the way, you teach the children to behave around the dogs, and that is the cutest picture, we have seen. 🙂
Mollie and Alfie
What a precious picture!
That’s so cute about the drool! Who knew drool could be so fascinating.
Can’t beat a little doggie drool for keeping a child entertained. 🙂 Glad that your niece is learning how to respect dogs with a little help from Sampson and Delilah! Oh, and you too, of course. 🙂
That’s precious! As I was reading, I thought OH NO! she’s going to touch and taste that puddle LOL. I believe in rules around dogs for houseguests too. Even grownups. I had a brunch for 8 adult friends on Saturday, and they ALL were told not to feed Georgia and to be firm with her if she put her nose on their plates (which of course, she did and they didn’t).
I’m glad you are setting the rules for dealing with dogs. So many children we don’t know want to handle my little dogs because they are little and seemingly harmless, but little Timmy has finally learned to defend himself and I am so afraid he will bite some little child who hasn’t been taught to be careful with dogs, no matter the size.
Adorable photo of your niece with Sampson & Delilah. I love that you have set clear rules and stick with them for everyone’s safety, 2 and 4 legged. So many good dogs get put in bad positions when there are no rules!
Always glad to see a picture of my vicarious buddies Delilah and Sampson.
Give poor Sampson a cyber hug for me!
Love the photo and I think I might see a bit of drool from Delilah 😉
Good for you teaching the kids how to respect and act around the dogs.