Layla Anne…

Let’s talk about D-Winks’ dog!

When I first saw her (virtually of course) she was in her crate, too frightened to come out,

rescued from goodness knows where,

stinky,

unkempt and nervous.

LaylaTimid

I feel at home in here

A dog with a history she couldn’t share verbally but one that was quite evident in her demeanour,

“She may have been raised as a fight dog,” D-Winks said, “or a breeder, she’s definitely had puppies.”

She was scared of

her own shadow,

thunder storms, fireworks,

loud noises, men, children,

birds, dogs and a host of other things, that haven’t come to light yet.

She spent most of her day self-isolating in her crate or the closet.

LaylaScared

Don’t come near me I’m being scared

She’s a Pit-Bull I thought when the first photos began arriving on my iPhone.

“I see pretty pink paws, and a short grey coat like Shads,” I amended graciously out loud.

“They’ll think they’re twins,” D-Winks chimed in, “if they ever meet.”

“She’s maybe 3 years old,” she told me,

“I don’t have a shot record,

“she may have an ear infection,

“she needs her anal glands emptying, nails clipping,

and spaying.”

“Seriously?” I was still processing the first couple of photos, “A Pit-Bull?”

“Mum!  I’m only looking after her until my friend can take her back,” D-Winks said hurriedly, “and, I know…but I couldn’t have left her where she was.”

I think D-Winks shared my reservations initially but I decided to find some positives and get to love the be-a-tch,

doggy breath and all,

thank goodness for FaceTime!

I would endeavour to be kind.

“She loves her tennis ball,” came a week or so later!

LaylaTennie

Anyone for tennis?

“She’s growing to trust me.”

“She’s irresistible!” I replied.

D-Winks lives by herself in a ground floor apartment, a long, long way from her Texas home and family.

My underlying worry turned to re-assurance because most people feel the same way about Pits as I do….

…as I did.

I remember walking a German Shepherd in Florida while house sitting and discovering my gentle-giant-to-me was potentially a snarling, mouth foaming, attack-dog to others.

I was rather chuffed that no one would mess with me on my morning walk accompanied by my Canine Guardian.

It made sense that D-Winks could eventually experience that same sense of angelic guardianship I had enjoyed.

LaylaParis

Canine Guardian

As the days grew into weeks she became quite the character…

still unwashed, with indecently long nails

she gradually began to eat, play, feel better,

and watch Grey’s Anatomy…

LaylaGreys

Netflix time

“Put on an animal program,” I suggested.

“She enjoys Grey’s Anatomy Mum!”

She started recognising her name, Layla-Anne.

She makes groans deep in her throat when D-Winks is on the phone.

“Does she do it when you’re working?” I wanted to know.

“Only when I’m chit chatting…”

“How does she know the difference?”

“She’s smart; takes after her Mum!” D-Winks smiled on my screen.

She’s a companion on those days when things could get lonely and

gets excited when a parcel arrives that she can rummage through searching for anything edible.

LaylaNosy

What’s in here?

She’s slowly relaxing, after 3 months of sharing her home with her bestie.

With her new sense of belonging Layla finally agreed to a bath,

with a generous portion of peanut butter thrown in,

Yum!

LaylaBath

Anymore where that came from?

She now smells of coconut and almonds,

and is allowed on the bed,

sometimes….

where she helps her hard working saviour take notes and make phone calls,

in between naps.

LaylaSafe

It’s a dog’s life

She grumbles protectively, from a safe distance, at the workmen outside,

‘Just try me!’ her stance says.

LaylaGuard

Just try me!

Every inch a Pit-Bull-Terrier.

She enjoys,

leftovers, especially best yet oatmeal,

hotdogs, warmed through – or frozen on a hot, hot day in July,

sandwiches left unattended on a chair,

going through the trash to get rid of expired lunch meat, mouldy bread and egg shells,

“Will she get sick?” D-Winks nervously asked.

“No,” I assured her, “dogs eat poop, they have cast iron stomachs.  I’m sure she’ll be none the worse for wear.”

and her walks at the end of her brand new, made for social distancing, leash.

LaylaLeash

Six feet apart…

She trusts D-Winks implicitly.

In return she’ll look mean and growl menacingly from behind her legs when on a walk and her perception of danger comes a little too close.

She doesn’t snarl; snarling  may bring on a fight and neither of them are ready for that….ever!

And once safely home she’ll settle on the bed,

or a friend’s lap

Layla

Guarding is exhausting

and relax in the shelter of love.

“Sounds like you,” I joked, “preferring other people’s laps to yours!”

D-Winks gave me a look and her friend laughed,

“I guess she is my dog!” she conceded.

Welcome Home Layla-Anne!

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