Bailey the insane warrior

You've met Miss B. She's sweet, just shy of 30 pounds and absolutely adorable. She loves everyone: other dogs, cats, the postman, the exterminator, my mother-in-law, the IRS, the garbage men, lawyers. She shares the love.

Now meet Mia. Mia is my sister's dog. She's sweet, about 60 pounds and absolutely adorable. We spent Christmas with Mia and my sister. I was so excited. I imagined Mia and Bailey frolicking together, sharing toys, sipping cocoa and watching "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" before curling up to wait for Santa. Mia would sleep while Bailey kept watch for a fat man in a red suit. Or Bailey would sleep while Mia kept watch. Maybe they'd take turns. No, I don't have kids, why do you ask?













And, then, Bailey lost her mind. If Mia breathed, Bailey jumped her in a whirl of snarls, gnashing teeth and sheer insanity.  If Mia strolled across the living room, Bailey jumped her. If Mia decided to eat breakfast, Bailey jumped her. If Mia looked out the window to wave at the neighbors, Bailey jumped her. By the end of the day, Bailey was locked in her crate and Mia was sidling into rooms with a furtive look around the corners before extending her paws forward. At one point, Mia stood on the arm rest of the couch and refused to budge. She trembled and swayed ever so slightly.


Christmas morning, Bailey quietly opened her presents alone in her room. Then Mia packed Bailey's bags and put them in the car.