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Writer's pictureDavid Daniels

Persistence is NOT Futile

Updated: Apr 2, 2021


(And yes – I know it’s “Resistance”)

This was originally written in December 2019 - Please bear that in mind while reading


Essentially, we've just done the mad thing of introducing dogs into our household. As you probably don't know, apart from having my son come over regularly, we're relatively free to do what we want, when we want. And then, Vicki decided she wanted a dog. I didn't. Then I caved and said "why not".

So essentially, this bit could be really short because as I said, persistence is not futile. She won me over.


But that's not the end of it...


We got a small Pekingese cross who's name is Bailey. (The brown one) And he's almost perfect! Ok, he's a little scared and therefore slightly snappy with people he doesn't know. But, he is house trained, gentle with us and Connor and sleeps like I've never known a dog sleep. Straight to bed and then won't bother getting up until we really want him to. Perfect really!!


Then...

Vicki decided he needed a friend. Well...you can probably imagine I wasn't so pleased about this. My major fear was that our perfect little one could not be matched. So, she found us another very similar Pekingese cross. This time, a little girl with different colouring. Guess what. It took no time at all for her to persuade me once again! (I'm obviously very weak!)


As I write this bit on a Tuesday in early December 2019, Jessie arrived at our home last Saturday morning. She settled in quickly on the day and Bailey had a best friend with immediate effect!

That was all until bedtime...

We did the usual routine. Closed all the rooms, got their beds ready in the hall and put them to bed. Then, closed the stair gate and went to bed ourselves.

2 minutes...

I'm telling you, peace was held for no more than 2 minutes. Then, all hell broke loose! Jessie started barking and yelping, tail wagging constantly. Back and forth, back and forth, trying to get her to calm down. This went on from around 11pm until about half 3 in the bloody morning! Although to be fair, I passed out around 1am. Sorry Vicki...you bloody wanted them!


Eventually, the household slept. Sunday was a lazy day while we just settled the dogs together, then panic ensued as we realised it was getting to bedtime and the following day was a working day! (I had an 08:30 conference call that I knew would be at least 2 hours)

And yes, from around 11pm until 3am...Off she goes again! I'll be honest right now, I was crap. I lost it. As far as I was concerned at that time, she'd ruined our household dynamic and this could not continue. Guess who saved it...

Yep. Vicki continued her persistence.


Monday was one of those days where we both felt like we'd spent the weekend drinking a couple of litres of whiskey. Each. And like we'd partied relentlessly. We were completely screwed by the time evening arrived. As was the new addition. Jessie spent the Monday evening so damn tired, you could lift her head off the sofa and move your hand quickly so her head would just flop. With absolutely no change to her snoring...

9pm...Let the panic set in...Bedtime...And the dog slumped on her bed and by about half 9, the house was silent. And we all slept right through the night...


It is now the next day. The Tuesday evening. Here's to persistence and the hope that the cycle has been broken. I'll update regardless, but to be honest, after just the few short days we've all had together, I wouldn't change it for the world. These 2 dogs are just amazing together and a perfect little addition to our lives.


However, I will state my own view here as it's a serious one. More people should stop this ridiculous situation of paying huge amounts of money for all these specifically bred dogs. There are so many cruel people in this world that there are vast amounts of dogs out there (and cats, yes, I do know) that are treated badly and abandoned. We adopted Bailey from Bosnia of all places. He was found wandering the streets, scared and begging for scraps of food. That's why he's very nervous of people but has never hurt a fly. Jessie was then adopted from Romania. She had been dumped by a lake in a crate. Scared and alone. Look at them both now. Happy, safe, warm and utterly loved. They'll never have to face what millions of dogs do again. Because there are ways of finding your perfect size, colour and shaped dog without spending a fortune and without feeding the puppy farming industry. Adopt one if you want one...


Quick update:

We're now 15 or so months in with both dogs. They're healthy, happy and still absolutely go nuts for each other's company daily. Yes, Jessie is what I would often call a bit of a twat, but that's just me. She's still cute and lovely company for Bailey.


Adopt...Don't buy!

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