Serra the Teenager

Because Serra had a microchip the shelter was able to track down her former owners and learn a little bit about her, including her birthday. Serra was born April 14, 2013 so she is just a year old! And her personality shows it. A one year old dog is basically a teenager and Serra still plays like a puppy but she likes to challenge the adult dogs and often will push Tilly, Chima and Salinas to see how far she can get. The answer is farther than you would think.

Salinas likes to avoid confrontation so will attempt to steer clear of Serra and that give me time to intervene and distract Serra so she will give Sal a break. Because Tilly is just a little under 8 pounds and is 13 years old and a bit frail I am careful not to let Serra bug her at all.

However, I do let her learn a few lessons with Chima. Don't get me wrong - she's not horribly annoying to the other dogs but she will occasionally attempt to resource guard me or she will get in Chima's face wanting to play and adult dogs are great at teaching a young whippersnapper like Serra what is appropriate.

Attempting to get Salinas to play with her

If she is getting in Chima's face and wanting to play, Chima usually gives her one chance. Serra will jump at Chima and give a little snap near her face and Chima will pointedly look away and shift her body away from Serra and if it was somewhat rude she might curl her lip a bit. If Serra doesn't listen to that and tries again then Chima will let out a roar, charge forward and basically scare the crap out of Serra. If Chima could talk I imagine her saying "I said NOOOOO, GOD DAMN IT!"

Serra doesn't miss that reminder, for sure. And it's working. She has learned that the big kids don't really want to wrestle or play chase with her so she needs to entertain herself and she does just that. Serra is a ball junkie. Any old ball will do. And she has found just about every ball that ever was in our house and back yard with amazing proficiency. She's cleaned out under the deck, down in the shed area, underneath shrubs, etc., and they now litter the yard so she never has to be without.

Serra loves to play with her tennis balls

Being a guardian to multiple dogs is a fine dance of keeping the peace and making sure dogs aren't being bullied or harmed, but also stepping back sometimes (when you know the personalities of the dogs well) and letting them learn from each other. Serra's a smart girl though and she is fast learner.