T T & A

Look. I know what's going on around here. Stella thinks I don't have a clue about the BBTP (Big Brother Training Program) she's trying to run me through. I had gotten enough advice from other dogs on how to be a big brother that I was prepared for almost any contingency. (Special thanks to Wally for his DVD training series for new big brothers of sissies).

So, while Stella thinks she's running the show, we know who's really in charge here. The key is to know how to walk that gentle balance between lovable big brother and push over. And, you've gotta know how to handle T T & A ~ Tongue, Teeth, and Attitude. Whenever Stella's coming at me, it's with one or a combination of those three things bearing down on me!

If you enlarge this photo you can see how she's coming at me with her tongue, and this is just on the way out the door.

Now, we've ALL seen Stella's baby alligator teeth. As a one time attack, those teeth are no big deal. But when they are coming at you constantly, it's like she's trying to strip me naked, one hair at a time.

Most of the time she's out of her little house and I'm around, she doesn't just want to be near me, she wants to be ON TOP OF ME! (We got bored watching "Running With Scissors." The book's so much better anyway).

So, when this starts getting on my nerves and I need a little break...

I just bust out this face...

And I end up here in the car, or somewhere else alone with my girl for a little Stanley Time. This usually involves a really long walk, a road trip to get ice cream or to go to the dogpark, or we go to my new favorite butcher to stockpile meatables, bone-ables, and organables (they make this great mix of ground up beef heart, liver and tripe that is to-die for)!

Don't get me wrong. I love the little monster. She's pretty entertaining, and hey, she loves me! But one thing I've learned. When it comes to The Stellanator, I just have to pick my battles. So, I let her pull the Wubba out of my mouth after tugging for a little bit, I let her drag my nylabone away when I drop it to scratch myself, and I pretty much let her do what she wants around me most of the time. But when I want a break or really need some Stella-free time, my hooman girl allows me to tell Stella off or show her that I'm boss with a friendly little nip. You see, because my girl has noticed how sweet I am to my sissy most of the time, and because I really play up that pained expression I showed you above, she doesn't mind whenever I DO choose to stand up to Stella.

Now, who do YOU think's in charge?

Love,

Stanley