It's All About Ms. M

Moxie ready for her walk

“The little one’s name is Moxie. She was in heat but we think that’s passed,” the owner says. I pet the trembling Yorkshire Terrier. “This one is Biscuit and that one is Clifford.” The owner points to two relatively calm Staffordshire Terriers.

Little Ms. M is held by the owner and kissed over and over. When her owner needs to do something with both hands she passes the little dog onto another member of the family. In the meantime, the older of the two Staffies, Biscuit, licks my legs and ankles incessantly. My skin is exposed because I’m sporting shorts today. I push her away and the owners looked surprised. 

"That's how she greets people," the owner says.

I can tell by the looks on their faces they don’t like my redirecting the compulsive behaviour of their large dog. Conflicted by my gentle nudge, Ms. B takes to licking my husband’s legs; he’s wearing his kilt.
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For the time being, the younger of the Staffies is distracted by our presence and shows no attention to the little dog held securely by the owner.

Ms. M on the dog bed with Biscuit in background

Moxie and Clifford

We are given a written general outline of their pet's habits and are asked if we have any questions. We come up with only one; “Are you expecting any trades workers to come to the house while you’re away?” They explain about the possibility of a cable tech coming by but tell us not to worry.

The homeowners leave and in their absence the prominent activity is keeping the big male dog away from the little female doggie. He follows her relentlessly, trying to mount her, mounting her and causing her to squeal. We phone the owners to let them know about the dog on dog activity and they recommend that we isolate the male to the back boot room. His howls are long and loud.

A dog is a dog when it’s near a female in heat.