We’ve all seen it—dogs doing the oddest things when they’re put in new situations or when they seem to be shirking their responsibilities. Sometimes, it’s like they’re coming up with solutions on the fly, using whatever odd or endearing behavior pops into their furry heads.
This can often lead to behaviors that seem completely out of character for our normally predictable pets. There’s a charming tale that comes from Los Angeles, about a woman who observed her dog starting to act rather oddly after the arrival of a new family member—a puppy.
The Arrival of a New Puppy
Elle Nailga, a resident of Los Angeles, found herself increasingly busy with work. This new schedule meant that her dog, Bella, was left alone at home for longer stretches of time. Concerned for Bella’s wellbeing and desiring to provide her with companionship, Elle decided on a solution that she thought was perfect. She introduced a new puppy into their home, a lively little one named Baguette.
Initially, everything seemed to go well. Baguette was energetic and playful, always ready for a game or a romp around the house. Bella, on the other hand, was more reserved, but at first, she seemed to tolerate, and perhaps even enjoy, the exuberance of her new sibling. They played together, chased each other around, and it looked like the adjustment was going smoothly. But as days passed, Elle started to notice some changes in Bella’s behavior.
Unusual Changes in Behavior
It wasn’t long before Bella began to exhibit some peculiar behaviors. Elle observed that Bella was moving in an awkward manner, occasionally bumping into furniture and walls, which was not typical of her usual careful self. Initially, Elle didn’t make much of these incidents; pets often have moments of clumsiness. But the situation took a strange turn the following day.
Elle shared with The Dodo, a popular animal news site, what happened next: “One morning, I woke Bella and Baguette up to play fetch. I threw the toy, but Bella didn’t chase after it. She didn’t even look in the direction of the toy… I pretended to poke her eye, and she DIDN’T BLINK!”
A Trip to the Veterinarian
Alarmed by these developments, Elle didn’t waste any time and took Bella to a veterinarian in Los Angeles. The initial tests indicated that Bella might be suffering from sudden onset blindness. However, the results were unclear, and more thorough examinations were necessary.
Therefore, a visit to an ophthalmologist was arranged. After conducting a series of more detailed tests, the results came back somewhat inconsistent and puzzling. To get to the bottom of it, another test was conducted, which finally confirmed that Bella was not blind. But the question remained—what was causing her strange behavior?
During the consultation, the ophthalmologist asked Elle if anything significant had happened recently that might have triggered this behavior in Bella. Elle mentioned the arrival of Baguette, the new puppy, and that was when the veterinarian pieced it together. It seemed that Bella was pretending to be unable to see, simply to avoid interacting with the overly energetic Baguette.
Understanding and Adjusting
This revelation was both amusing and insightful. Bella had chosen a rather dramatic way to cope with the disruption that the lively Baguette brought into her peaceful life. Recognizing this, Elle knew she had to take steps to manage the situation more delicately.
To ease the tension, Elle decided to give Bella some space from Baguette, allowing her time to adjust at her own pace. She arranged for separate playtimes initially, gradually reintroducing them to shared activities but in a more controlled and calm manner.
Elle’s efforts paid off, and over time, Bella and Baguette started to show signs of a budding friendship, with Bella becoming more tolerant and Baguette perhaps a bit less rambunctious. Elle continues to monitor their interactions closely, ensuring that both dogs feel comfortable and happy in their shared home.
This story from Los Angeles not only highlights the quirky ways dogs might handle changes in their environment but also underscores the importance of observing and responding to the needs of our pets. By understanding their behaviors and emotions, we can help them adjust to new situations in ways that respect their comfort and well-being.
