We've been very lucky to have had the sweetest dogs in the world, 2 Labs, 2 BC's and we have loved them to the "MAX."
A yr ago we had to adopted my mother's 9yo lab mix when she entered a nursing home. With the exception of his friendliness with people, her dog is the most disagreeable, unpleasant thing I have ever been around. He loves people but not *any* other animals. He growls at our sweet Missy and is appropriately corrected. Poor Missy humbles herself by licking his muzzle, always wagging her tail, and letting him go first with their shared water bowl and fetching the treats we throw. He has not been socialized with other dogs and that explains some of the behavior, but he's basically an alpha asshole hunter who'll kill any critter can, including neighborhood cats. We've learned that we cannot let him out to run, even at 2am. He is always leashed on walks.
His kill list includes a small squirrel and a small rabbit that he ate.
One early a.m. when I had let him out (before learning), I heard horrible growling directly behind our house and went to ck out the commotion. He had an opossum cornered but the little critter was holding his own until my presence emboldened our alpha asshole who then grabbed the opossum by the back of his neck and ran off with him across the field. I pursued, running as fast as I could to catch him. I had his leash in hand. He was wearing his lit collar (love those things). Found him standing over the opossum whom he had dropped to the ground. He still had him in his grasp. I had to beat him off the poor critter, who was "playing possum." That saved the critter's life.
I've given up hope that that dog will ever be kind to another animal, even to his sweet, sweet sister.
When Ogee dies, we plan to adopt a kitten, as a companion for Missy. She loves my son's kitties.
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