Charlie and Messi

Now that Charlie and I have had Messi in our home for a little over two months, everyone is settled in and I figured it was time for an update. 

I love these dogs. Love.

 

Ten seconds earlier…

Let me repeat myself…  Love these dogs.

Messi, I suspect, is far younger than the 3 years old I was told upon adoption.  I really think he’s about a year and a half.  He’s definitely still a puppy.  He wants to play constantly.  He’s very emotionally needy.  And, he loves to chew on everything: toys, pillows, feet, arms and hair.  His bite isn’t strong enough to destroy anything (which is helpful) but it can get quite painful at times.  He has picked up a bit of English already, so that’s good.  And we are working on his manners.  He’s got a ways yet to go on that front.

The boys get along great.  They share toys, food, and galbi.  I’m actually quite impressed by how Charlie took to him.  Charlie is still as independent as ever but he’s quite good about sharing his space with Messi now.  I worked hard to do all the things you are supposed to do when bringing in a new animal.  I can only imagine that helped.  And my little wiener dog is quite the receptive little kid.  I’ll give him that.

It took about a month for Messi to settle in and let his personality show.  He has such a loving little personality.  He’s so sweet and silly.  His asthma has gotten better, too.  It’s still present, but better.  Charlie has had a few health issues as of late as well, so it’s fascinating to see how they respond to each other having obvious health concerns.

It’s fun to watch them teach each other.  Charlie has helped teach Messi how to beg appropriately (ie. not bouncing around like a jack rabbit) and Messi has taught Charlie that potty pads aren’t so traumatic after all.  It’s really neat to watch them learn from and teach other.  Though he’s extra timid of people on the street, Messi’s social skills are far better than Charlie’s.  I hope Charles can learn from that.  People like dogs that don’t bark.

The only real issues come up with Messi’s lack of attention to personal space.  Personal space is not an issue in Korea so it’s actually something that, as teachers of Western culture, we have to make a point to teach our students about.  Western culture expects personal space.  We get defensive or nervous if people get in our space.  Asia doesn’t work like that. Children and adults walk down the street hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder.  Personal bubbles don’t exist here.  And they don’t exist for my little poodle either.

If I sleep on my back, he sleeps on my chest.  If I sleep on my stomach, he sleeps on my bum.  If I’m not available, he sleeps on Charlie.  That’s where the problem comes in.  Charlie’s never really been a cuddler.

Thankfully, he has a cousin (Flower) who is a cuddler. 

This dog, however, is absolutely adorable.  While I’ve always had a higher affection for dogs than I do most people, I’ve never been one to fawn over the “cuteness” of a dog.  This one is different.  He is overwhelmingly adorable.  It’s impossible to look this little guy in the eyeballs and not smile.   I’ve never seen anything like it.