How to Turn a Samoyed into a Cuddle Dog

Isbre, our Samoyed, has never been a cuddle dog. Firstly, she gets too hot when she cuddles, and secondly, she is too independent to want to sloow anyone that much control over her.

But since we've brought Isabelle home she has been a cuddly, need to be petted all the time dog. Or, at least when Isabelle is up and taking our attention (when Isabelle goes to bed she goes back to her laid-back self). She continues to remind us that she is our first (furry) child. Often she will get between one of us and Isabelle, even squeezing her way in.

She is getting used to Isabelle now, and accepting her as part of the pack. When Isabelle cries (not fusses, but really cries and wails) Isbre has started howling and sticking her nose in Isabelle's face to see what the matter is. This is great most of the time because often Isabelle will stop for a moment to see what the problem is with someone else. Every once in a while, though, if I'm feeling tired and harrassed the two of them going at it together will drive me to the brink of insanity. Overall, though, I'm glad to see Isbre accepting Isabelle and being concerned about her.

Tessla (our head-strong orange and white cat) still spends a lot of time outside, and has been doing that ever since we brought Isabelle home. In the last few days he has just started to decide that she isn't leaving and he might as well get used to her. It's the same reaction he had when we brought Isbre home. Tonight though, for the first time, he rubbed up against her, claiming her as something of his. Granted it was a really fast rub so she didn't have time to react and reach out for him, but it was a bonafide rub. We're becoming a whole pack/family again.