First Kiss

Belle, a white Bichon, lives two houses from me on our little cul-de-sac.  She is such a tease, but actually she seems a little wary of strangers.   Judy, her owner, tells me she doesn't warm up to many people.  She is so cute and seems to have a sweet disposition.  I am as friendly to Belle as she'll allow.  Judy says she always looks for me when going past my house.  And it seems to be true for she seems so excited to see me when I'm outside and she'll pull on the leash to get to me.  But, oddly she gets one foot away from me then slinks away just out of reach.  She wants to come to me but she is finding it difficult to trust.  A few times I've been able to touch her and she'll let me but she'll have her back to me and I'm reaching the whole time.  This past week I told Judy a few times to just hold the leash where she couldn't slink away and let me pet her.  It seems to have helped her overcome whatever fear she had.  I had even gotten down on the driveway on my back in hopes she would see me as non-threatening.  I've also ignored her in hopes she'd try and get my attention.  The only way she would get close to me is if I gave her one of the treats Judy takes with her.  After a while I didn't want to use the treat trick anymore.  I wanted her to come to me because she wanted to.  I enjoy dogs and enjoy petting them, talking sweet to them and hopefully with a select few I'll even get a kiss.... yes, right on the mouth is fine with me.   Okay, I know some of you are grossed out by the whole human and dog kiss thing.  Maxer and I gave each other little kisses.  Maxwell died May of last year and he was with me almost 15 years.  But with Maxwell gone I miss that companionship and those sweet little kisses.  Maybe someday I'll get another dog but not right now.

This evening I was sitting out on the cul-de-sac curb talking on the phone.  Judy came out of her house with Belle for their short evening walk.  Belle came right up to me and let me love on her.  My Mom was on the phone and understood the complete attention I gave Belle for a few minutes.  This was the second day in a row she did this, coming right up to me.  Then they continued on their walk and I continued to talk on the phone.  After their walk Belle came right up to me again and leaned in real close.  She was actually smack dab next to me.  I was talking sweetly to her and rubbing her ears (she really likes that) and she lifted her head and gave me a little kiss!  I was silently beside myself but I contained my joy because I certainly didn't want to scare her with too much excitement.  I've been trying to get close to this little dog since the end of March.  

I'll be taking Belle for a walk every evening from the 18th - 25th of July while Judy is traveling with some friends.  Her husband is not well and is unable to take Belle out besides their yard.  When she asked me I gladly accepted but told her I didn't know how this would work since Belle wouldn't let me close to her.  But it seems that Belle and I are finally bonding and at just the right time.