I knew there would be some differences between the two:
- Male/Female
- Rat Terrier/Boxer
- 10-12 lbs/90+ lbs
I discovered a few things they have in common:
- They don't know their size. Petey was small but would have taken on a lion in battle. He once challenged a huge, muzzled dog in the park. Calli is big but tries to get in my lap when I'm on the couch. (Here's an example of Calli thinking she is little. She's trying to lay in Petey's old bed!)
apparently she thinks if her front paws are in, it counts! - They both prefer to be wherever the people are.
- They both pee in the house.
I had not considered, however, the biggest difference - Petey was smart. I'm not saying that Calli is as dumb as a box of hammers or anything like that. She's probably of at least average intelligence for her breed. Just sayin'
- Calli does not know English. Petey did. We would tell Petey to do things like go to bed, or get his green ring and he would. Calli just looks at us with a sweet, yet very confused look on her face when we try to talk to her. Even after Petey started losing his hearing, we created hand gestures to go along with the voice commands and he learned those very quickly.
- We would tell Petey how long we would be gone and he seemed to understand. He seemed to have a concept of time even when we were here. He certainly knew when it was bed time! Calli doesn't seem to care when we leave although she seems happy when we return. (I must confess here that I have had an almost overwhelming urge to fling treats in the kitchen floor and rush out the door when I have left the house this week!)
- Petey liked to play. He & John would play hide & seek in the house. If Petey couldn't spot him, he'd sniff him out. Calli got very upset when John tried to play it with her. We've been afraid to try the smelling game.
let's just say Calli is a little more relaxed than Petey
I have said all along that we spoiled Petey. After this week though, I'm beginning to wonder if it is the other way around. Maybe Petey spoiled us.
