• Wendy Protects Merlin

January 23rd,less than three months after Merlin came to live with us, Preston and I needed to take a business trip. Barbara Harding had graciously offered to keep Merlin and Wendy at her house while we were gone.

We were confident that Merlin and Beau would have a wonderful time together, and I always consider Barbara to be a great influence on any animal she works with, but I worried about Wendy. Merlin had already made far more progress in his three months with her than we had made in the previous nine, but she was still painfully shy. She was still known as my famous invisible dog. And I was concerned that she would feel she was being abandoned. I could only hope that her attachment to Merlin was strong enough to boost her confidence and help her feel safe.

When we got to Barbara’s we decided to let the dogs start in the back yard together. To our amazement, Wendy headed into the back yard like a kid headed to the playground. She kept a close eye on me, but explored the yard with great curiosity. Meanwhile Merlin and Beau sparred and re-established their pecking order. Wendy hung close, making sure I didn’t get too far away… until…

Merlin and Beau had it all worked out and started to play. They ran and raced. Merlin maneuvered and lunged away with Beau in hot pursuit. Suddenly Wendy spun around and tore away from me and after Beau, growling and snapping. The three of us watched in stunned silence. Wendy came back to my side as we exchanged exclamations. Had our scared and insecure little Wendy actually just gone after a dog more than four times her size? Did we actually see that right?

Merlin and Beau promptly returned to play, and as quickly and unexpectedly as before, Wendy went after Beau. There was no mistaking it this time. Our little girl was protecting her “baby” brother. Size didn’t matter, and fear would not get in the way. She wasn’t letting any dog hurt her Merlin.

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Merlin and Kiki

Merlin Protests Wendy

Keep an eye on this page. New stories and pictures on Merlin will be added on a regular basis. Follow Merlin's antics while learning more about the growth and training of a Hovawart.