How much things can change

All my life I've preached and practiced kind but strict control of my four legged companions, including horses, for their own safety and well being as much as my own. My chows, for instance, never imagined that other dogs get to precede their 'owner' through a doorway, etc.

When my last dogs arrived, 2 little rescues at different times, oh how I started to slip. Molly Maguire, my furkid bit me on the butt last year when I wouldn't pay attention to her the exact instant she demanded it. My reaction? I nearly fell down and choked laughing. Her big little sister Brigid, the Jack Russell Terrierist, has now gained full alpha status although they remain totally bonded. They groom each other like a couple of monkeys. But now I have to feed them separately because Brigid will claim every food bowl she can reach.

So what's MM done as a result? She taught Mom to take her to a private location AND HAND FEED HER EACH AND EVERY BITE OF KIBBLE INDIVIDUALLY! One at a time, as long as it takes, while she sits in my lap. I'm afraid my reputation has suffered great damage. I was so alpha with all my big dogs before, and now these two little snots have hog tied me. Wot 'appened? If you'd told me 2 years ago that I'd ever reach such a sorry state of affairs, I might've tapped you on the head with my riding crop. (Which I never hit a horse with, telling smart alecky humans that it was reserved for them). I can only guess that part of the change has come about because I'm really older now, and these might be my last 2 dogs. At the very most, next to last. It's worse than a first time grandparent wrapped around her little rug rats' fingers.