After running quickly from the school to the Northern Store yesterday I noticed a girl with a VERY cute puppy and two other dogs following her. I was in a rush and notice about ten minutes into my journey back to the school that one of the big dogs was following me. This is NOT an unusual occurrence in Cape Dorset as almost all the dogs seem people friendly. I got back to the school where sadly a funeral was being prepared so the front door was propped open... I should have known then that I had a problem, because the dog followed me right into the school foyer. Thankfully some nice kids were there and escorted the dog back out.
I had only planned to stay at school for a few minutes, but got sidetracked with some other work. About an hour later I left and the dog was sitting there waiting for me! I had groceries in my book bag too that were starting to thaw because of my stay at the school, so I was rushing a bit to get home. The dog was kind of herding me as she stayed either a few metres in front of me, a few metres behind me, or a few metres to either side of me. She didn't seem particularly fond of me, and I was having flashbacks to the sheep dog that herded and nipped at me regularly in Ireland. I thought once I got home she would just wander off and I was doing my best to avoid eye contact with her as they tend to hook a person into loving them once they make eye contact!
I went up the front stairs, was not being followed... got my key out... was still not being followed...unlocked the door...still no sign of the dog...opened the door and BANG (she slammed into the door)! the dog had run up the stairs, straight passed me, laid down and refused to leave.
A few minutes later as I was unpacking the groceries, I heard barking, whimpering, scratching, yelping at the door. She was back.
I got more crackers, bribed her back to the school where she was entertained by another dog. Went back home only to be followed...walked back to the grocery stores, thought I lost her...returned home, went up the front stairs again, the coast was clear, opened the door and THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP BANG (she slammed into the door again). She ran into the living room, laid on the carpet and faked being asleep. This time there was NO bribing, she ignored me completely.
As I stood outside frantically attempting whatever "dog-speak" I knew, waiting for help to arrive, my roommate showed up. I informed her we had a problem and her response was "the four legged kind?".
Well my roommate is definitely the dog whisperer. She immediately bonded with the dog, and I realized that the dog just didn't like me because I was trying to kick her out. We found out where she was from (her owner is away and someone is looking after her) so in the dark I walked her back to her house, but there was no answer when I tried relentlessly knocking. Since we live in a town with a by-law that requires dogs to be chained up, and there being no obvious chain to tie her up with, I resolved to being followed back home by the dog.
Afraid she would get shot if we left her outside, we decided to have a sleepover with the dog. This dog is SUPER sweet, and VERY well trained. Though she farts a lot, and snores when she sleeps. I've also learned to appreciate cats who know where to use the washroom, and who don't weigh 45lbs and have hot stinking breath with big tongues. Though I enjoyed getting to know this pooch (her name turns out to be April), I'll be taking her to her dog sitter later this morning once the sun comes up and I'm able to keep an eye out for bears. I think if she wanted to sleep over again though, I wouldn't mind!
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