It is hard to believe that little Matilda (Tilly) came into our home only 6 months ago! She has added such energy to this house through her adorable antics. We rescued her at approx 6 months old and today is her 6 month gotcha day anniversary. So we decided that today is her first birthday!
Elliott and I first saw her picture as a facebook post for a rescue organization in Lousiana. We couldn't believe how much she looked like Tank and knew that we wanted to give him a companion (or understudy?). So Elliott took the 2 day drive to go pick her up from the high-kill shelter. When we found out that she might be in danger, we contacted an aquaintence from our Bassador Facebook group who became our furbaby's angel. This woman bailed Tilly out of the shelter before anything could happen, and we will forever be grateful for her act of kindness. Elliott met with her the following day and instantly fell in love with this pup. He should have known we were in for it when she slept the whole time she was in the car, and then got the zoomies at the hotel after midnight. My husband decided to kick himself out of the hotel for fear of waking people. He arrived home with Tilly later that day.
Tank & Tilly get along fairly well. That is to say...Tank tolerates her...on occasion... when it isn't nap time. I think Tank was devestated when his "schedule" was tossed out the window upon Tilly's arrival. His bachelor days used to look like this: wake up, potty, food, nap, potty, play, nap, food, potty, bed time. Napping consisted of at least 60% of his day and he loved having the chair, couch, or bed all to himself.
Now don't get me wrong. Tank loves to play with Tilly in the backyard, wrestle on the couch, tug with a blanket, or get her help stealing food from the table (because he knows better). However, when Tank feels like it is time for a break he sits at the gate. When I open the gate he runs back to the bed and passes out. Some days I wonder if Tilly is his exercise program!
We expected for Tank to teach her all his zen ways and for Tilly to get a good little understudy.
Wrong!! This little girl has a mind of her own and isn't afraid to use it. I have found her on the coffee table, sofa table, dining room table, kitchen counters, and balancing on the back of the upholstered chair. To get to these places I have witnessed her push chairs or ottomans into place so she can climb. She obviously is taking more cues from the cats. I have taught her "off" and "down", but that only works when I see her. When I hear the pinging of little claws on the glass I just yell "Tilly get down" and that is followed by a thud to the ground. Nothing seems to deter her from going where she wants to go. And what does Tank do??...He sits at the scene of the crime and watches. If there is food involved I am sure he is waiting in high anticipation and probably cheering her on.
Tank and Tilly look so similar, but they couldn't be more different in personality. When it is time to go outside Tank will run over to the door and sit calmly to wait for the leash. Meanwhile, Tilly has knocked Tank out of the way to get closest to the door, proceeds to jump 3 times (all paws off the ground and her face is even with mine kinda jumps), and insists on being the first to get to the backyard. Manners are not in her vocabulary...neither is ladylike.
Matilda really has come far in 6 months. She mastered potty training in the first 2 weeks, learned her name within the first month, and understands simple commands like "kennel up" and "sit". We helped her deal with a bit of food aggression and this past month she has been able to eat beside her brother at meals without stealing from his bowl. It was obvious she was never given an opportunity to cuddle with people or other dogs. Recently, she has started to cuddle with us while watching TV (Tank is still a work in progress as she would rather play with him than snuggle in a bed). She has also learned that cats are friends, not food. That theory will never seem to apply to squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, deer, etc. Still working on her greeting people with a sit rather than clobbering them with all four paws.
We love this adorable little Tillybean just the way she is and wanted to share her rescue story with our fans on her birthday.
