It’s time to introduce our new staff member – Reba, the lodge dog. We had to give up Sophie last November at the age of 14. We had struggled with seizures with her for more than a year, but when it was apparent we could no longer keep her comfortable, we made the difficult decision to let her go. Of course, we were not ready to instantly get another dog; we needed to grieve. One day it just hit us that we really, really needed a dog in our lives, so the search was on. We spent about three weeks watching the internet and visiting the local Longmont Humane Society (where we had found Sophie). We saw a couple of dogs that we thought would work, but for one reason or another, those didn’t work out. Then we spotted a cutie named Della; a tad smaller than desired but she just dug her way into our hearts. It turned out that in a previous ‘life’, she was called Reba – and seemed to respond better to that – which we also thought fit her better.
Reba is an Aussie Cattle Dog/cross (Bill says with a chihuahua), a little over two years old and only weighs in at 30 pounds. She has had some wonderful training in the past and has adjusted to the lodge rules remarkably well. We picked her up Feb. 5, had a disturbing bout of food intolerance (we changed her over a little faster than her system wanted), and since have gotten things under control. She has been a marvel with the guests; in fact, some of our crafters from this last weekend brought her a gift basket, which she happily explored.
It was loaded with all kinds of fun stuff, from ropes, a ball, several neck scarves, cookie cutters – dog bone & paw print – (is this a hint, ladies?), doggie bacon and the cutest little green & white critter with a pull rope attached and a squeaky inside! Yes, she is enthralled with toys that squeak!!!
Today’s latest trick was discovering that the dog bed in front of the heater is a really, really good napping place. Her position is a puzzle to us, though. It looks like she was dropped from the sky.
I guess she is a keeper.
