Bratka's Making Progress

As the perfect eskie that I am, I find it appalling that my sister is a little slow on the uptake. BUT....I must admit that the little Bratka is making some good progress. For the past several weeks, we have all been struggling with her housebreaking, her aggression toward others and her inability to take direction. My parents enrolled her in school at PetsMart - although her ability to stay there was "iffy" because she bit the teacher just days earlier and was showing serious signs of aggression - in hopes of giving her some external guidance and socialization.

Finally, a few days ago I had had enough. I sat her down on the patio sofa and told her that we were going to have a sisterly chat. I explained to her that I, a long, long time ago, was afraid of being in this new family too and as a result, I acted out. I told her that I was afraid my people would send me away, or not love me, or would forget to feed me. I told her I kept trying to prove they were bad and they would hurt me. But they didn't. They snuggled me up and told me they loved me - every day. They fed me, and cleaned up after me. They took me with them, and when they didn't, they came home and were excited to see me. They even gave me silly nicknames.

I told her that if she gave them a chance, they would do the same for her. She said she didn't believe me just yet, but would give us all a try. She said she would try her baby eskie best (now known as BEB). We shook paws and gave an affirmative nod (I don't know if I like the kid enough just yet to hug her!) that our pact was sealed in our white fur.

Since then, mom and mommy have been so much happier with the kid. They pick her up and hug her and tell her they are enjoying her. Then they turn to me and pick me up for a loving snuggle. Late at night, mom whispers in my ear that she is really proud of me for helping guide my sister to be the best eskie she can be, and for allowing her to feel safe in our family for probably one of the first times in her life. Then Bratka budges in and I begin to rethink my strategy - just kidding!!