I was in the process of putting P to bed. We had just finished brushing her teeth. I told her to go ahead to her room while I finished putting things away in the bathroom. All of a sudden I hear Clooney squeal and sort of bark followed by P crying….hysterically.
When I got to them in the hallway Clooney was walking away tail between his legs and P was in one of those cries where she’s holding her breath. I asked her if Clooney had bitten her and she shook her head yes. P held her ear and sure enough there was a minor but evident mark behind her ear. Clooney doesn’t bite… or snip P unless P has climbed on top of him or pulled his tail or something obviously taunting or hurtful. P is always spooked by him setting boundaries more than hurt. I’ve told her he just snips, but another dog will full on bite.
This time however, given her hysterical crying I really thought he had gone after her. I asked her twice if she had done something mean to him and she said no. So, I called…..yelled at Clooney to come back and then grabbed him hard in front of her and in an angry and stern voice said “no biting P”. (I’ve read that you need to set strong boundaries with animals so they know they come after the kids in the household pecking order) P started crying immediately, even worse and says “I did it Mamma. I bother Clooney.” I said: “Did you bother Clooney or Clooney bite you?” P says: “I bother Clooney”. I asked again in a different way: “Is it your fault or Clooney’s fault?” She says: “My fault Mamma” and starts crying really hard. She was so ashamed of herself. I couldn’t believe it. You could see it on her face how awful she felt Clooney was getting scolded instead of her.
This was a moment where I could really see P’s core. It felt like I got even more insight into her personality. That behavior can not be taught…at least I don’t think it can at this young an age. Her conscience was so pure, so honest. I had to hug her and tell her it was ok. She did the right thing and we said sorry to Clooney. This is a defining moment for me with P. I feel this conscientiousness can remain intact if I nurture P and continue to build a trust and bond with her. And this is what I want through the teenage years. I don’t expect her not to make mistakes. In fact I welcome them while she is under our care so we can learn from them and build a strong character.
Today was a big day.
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