Buford has been a grouch. He has growled fiercely at Tatli, not wanting her even near him. I take her walking on a leash through the field and sheep several times daily, often for an hour or two. He might be laying down in the shelter, snoozing, but when Tatli goes out on the field, he goes to work, protecting HIS sheep from this upstart brat. If she gets near, he growls a deep scary growl. He gets between her and the sheep, patrols the fence and does what a good Anatolian does. So I've taken to let Tatli follow him. We follow him down the fenceline. When Tatli walks through the sheep, they scatter, but not when Buford walks through them. So we just follow him.
I thought Buford would fall in love with the puppy, but no, she is an INTRUDER. She takes my time away from him. Feeding time is our special bonding time, I always sit with him. When he's done, I pet him and talk to him. Enter Tatli. On a leash to prevent her from running amok, I feed them together, me sitting on a couple of pallets between them. This is a serious infringement on his special time, an affront to his dignity and he walks off in protest. Tatli's response to this rejection is to run over to eat his food. Hurt feelings? Not Tatli. I get her to finish her food, put her in her pen and apologize to Buford. Only after much gentle talking and urging, he will return to his food and eat it. He stops frequently so I can apologize again and shower him with compliments. I belong to Buford and he does not want to share.
This morning marks 11 days since I brought Tatli home. Buford has steadfastly resisted her charms and refused to have anything to do with her. He bares teeth, growls a horrible growl that would scare the bejeebers out of anyone, but not tatli. She is oblivious to the danger.
I heard her barking a few moments ago and looked outside to see her in her pen, barking, while Buford ran zoomies in the night pen!! I was so surprised.
Buford has been so serious since the loss of Sheba. Sheba played. She never lost her play and she and Buford played every day. With her gone, Buford lost his play. He got more serious and a change came over him, he got more aggressive, more fierce. Buford is a full grown male Anatolian.
I hope Buford is starting to accept Tatli and become more friendly to her. He certainly protects her. He ran to the fence yesterday to snarl up on Carson in the driveway for getting too close to Tatli. Carson got the message and moved on down the driveway.
More time, more patience, I hope Buford gets his play back.
