While we waited the four, long days Leighton was overdue for her arrival, I joked several times, "Why would she be late? Doesn't she know she has a cute little dog waiting for her?"
I'm guessing, she did know. And didn't care.
It has become painfully obvious over the last eighteen months that Lei is not an animal lover. She loves babies. "Baby! Baby! Baby!" The furry counterparts ... eh, not so much.
Out and about in a world full of strangers, Leighton and Lulu can be chummy. The mutual excitement caused by a sighting of Chip the chipmunk or congregation of squirrels in the yard can even bring them together. But the celebration quickly subsides and the two go right back to ignoring each other.
When Lei is feeling particularly naughty, she will take a swipe at Lue to clear her out of the room. "You go Lulu!" It generally works, since the poor pooch isn't much interested in being bothered anyway.
When food hits the floor, it only stands to reason that Luella should have it. Unless Leighton is there to see it. Having to share ANYTHING with that little dog bugs her. "No no Lulu. NO!"
My mom brought some books over last week, as she usually does because Leighton loves to play with them. She reads and stacks them - sorts and hoards them. It's a game. One book was about puppies and Lei completely passed on it as we were cleaning up. I said "Hey. Let's put this away. Isn't this your book?" She looked at me, furrowed her brow, shook her head and vehemently denied ownership with a gesture that said, Are you nuts? That could never be my book. Duh, mom.
The high hopes I harbored for this star-crossed sisterhood are all but dashed. We try every now and again to bring her around or trick her into professing what must be a deeply private affection for Luella. "Do you love mama?" Leighton says, "Yes." "Do you love dada?" Leighton says, "Yes". You can run a string of family members, friends and even throw in a teacher and Lei will let you know just how much she loves each one.
"Do you love Lulu?" Without missing a beat, she'll look up at you and answer with a deadpan "No." She just doesn't want to share her world with our sweet little Yorkie.
Just WAIT until she meets her little sister. I can't even imagine how that's going to go down. The fact that little sis is a Baby! instead of a puppy may be our only chance at family harmony.
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