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| LIAM WAITS FOR HIS GUESTS |
Liam shows no sign of what is to come. He seems sleepy, cozy, comatose, curled into a ball joining his squeaky Snowman in bed. As time for our guests' arrival nears, he knows something is up. He sits up in his greeting position. Ears perking every so often. 
We are putting away his toys, moving his bed, his blankets, pillows, doll
rocking his world. Since his world is every place in the house it is quite a large shake up.
The day is Friday, December 28, 2012, our regular Crabtree's night. Our friends make a yearly Holiday visit. We will sit around, catch up, toast, nibble, gift each other with creative treasures and then take off for dinner at Crabtree's. This has been the tradition for 15 years, Liam part of it for the last 5.
Our friends arrive, Liam leaps from the couch and as the door opens he lunges. Gets everyone with a frontal body slam and a few direct hits on private parts. Ouch! Why? This is not the sweet, licking loving Liam. The half hound Liam smells a mini candy. A tiny wrapped chocolate is wolfed down, foil and all. Oh, you are thinking that you heard chocolate might be fatal? Nope. Not for this dog, not this night. My mortification over our only child's behavior continues as Liam, walks over our guests, does his catlike above the head stalking and offers his unsolicited paw whenever the conversation turns from him.
Our friend succeeds in having Liam sit by speaking to him in Spanish "sentarse" who knew? NSAL told us he is a rescue from Tennessee.To say I am embarrassed does not describe my level of humiliation. I have a little dog who is doing whatever he wants. He only leaves when the heat blows out of the vent and he avails himself of his mini fireplace. When the hot air blowing is over he rejoins the pack.
I am a failed pack leader.
I am a bad host.
I have raised a spoiled only child.
Next day, I search for my dog training guide. Several pages of rules. Will share some.
Dogs need to be taught-"Drop it"
Dogs own no possessions, everything belongs to the humans.
Dogs should not be allowed on the furniture, as the leader of the pack you must have the most comfortable spot. Dogs belong on the floor.
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| LIAM IN MY SPOT IN MY HOUNDSTOOTH SHAWL |
The pack leader is the one who greets the newcomers first; the dog is the last to get attention.
I could go on but there are 19 more such commandments.
The day after, Liam changes back into Liam.
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| A SLEEPING DOG LIES |
I assure our friends this scenario will not be repeated next year. It will not. He will be trained.
And BTW our friends are fine with Liam, calling him exuberant and saying they love him.
Gracias
Woof, Woof
