January 18, 2015

Momma's Girl? Daddy's Boy? Does Your Pet Have a Preference?

This is a daddy's girl:

Our beagle Bailey was a major daddy's girl. She would sit in his lap and hug and kiss him for ages. And he would just let her. They were quite the pair. (I literally gave up once after counting 1000 kisses.)

We thought she was Daddy's girl because he wasn't around as much. I've worked from home for years, but Daddy always disappears for a long stretch 5 days a week. Our theory was that Bailey loved him more because it was a special treat each day. It was an event when he'd come home. After all, I fed her and walked her; you'd have thought I'd be the favorite. Hello, a beagle - total chow hound, and I was the main feeder. She should have followed me everywhere! But no, she always preferred the Daddy.

Then when we got Abby we figured it would be the same thing - but no! Finally it was my turn.

Okay, yeah... she looks like a Daddy's girl here:

But really, she was Momma's baby.

We were still doing the same routine - I was the main feeder and walker, and Daddy was the "special treat" since he wasn't home as much, but for some reason I was the favorite now. (And, I must admit, it felt good.)

When we got Rita, the hubs said it was his turn again, and he hoped for another Daddy's girl. But since our sweet Abby only lived to be 2 1/2, I figured it should still be a continuation of my turn. Luckily Rita agreed! Yep, another Momma's girl.
Oh, don't get us wrong, she loves her Daddy - a whole lot, but she's Momma's girl. (As evidenced if we come home from somewhere together and she runs past the Daddy to get to Momma. Poor Daddy.)

So, if it's not the feeding or the walking or the special celebration every night when "Daddy's home!" - what is it? What makes a pet have a preference?

Maybe it's something you just can't put your finger (or paw) on.


What about you - do your pets play favorites? If so, do you have a theory as to why?

Book News...
Okay, just a little mischief here with a teaser... Come back on Wednesday for news about Book #3!! I'm excited to share the news with y'all!! I'll be revealing the title and when the book will be available!

64 comments:

  1. Hailey is a daddy's girl. Which I find frustrating because I have done all the hard work with her. Phod is whoever is closest boy!

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    1. Yes, that's how I felt about the beagle! I did all the work! Daddy got all the kisses! :)

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  2. No real preferences over here. Have a marvellous Monday.
    Best wishes Molly

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    1. That's nice of you Molly to not give one parent more favorable treatment!

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  3. Great topic for a post! I'm pretty sure the dog picks their favorite and it has nothing to do with who feeds them, walks them or anything mundane like that. My first dog Dylan definitely preferred me, but I did raise him for several years before John was in the picture. Along came Wilson, and although John worked from home and got to spend more time with him, he just preferred me. There's no doubt whose dog he is. Then Jimmy....the dog John DID NOT WANT! He was pretty adamant about not getting a 2nd dog. He didn't go with me when I went to see the litter and he didn't go with me when I went to pick Jimmy up. He ignored him as best he could....for about 2 days. LOL! Jimmy worked his puppy magic and John really started to like him....then love him. I am pretty sure Jimmy is his heart dog. And despite him truly being my dog...all the walks, all the training, all the agility.....Jimmy prefers John. He worries when he's gone, waiting for him to return. Sits in his lap for TV and movies. It's a tad ironic, but whatever made them bond helped A LOT with the not wanting a 2nd dog grumpies.

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    1. Oh, that's a sweet story about Jimmy. Jimmy totally worked his puppy magic! :)

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  4. I think they do. Monty is Aaron's boy. Monty prefers to be walked by Aaron, hang around him - we make jokes that it's because they are both guys, Monty likes to scratch, burp and well, you know. However, our Angel Sam was my boy - although it could be that it was because he was my dog before I met Aaron. He loved Aaron, but if Aaron tried to walk away from me with him, Sam would have none of it. Harlow is also my girl. No idea why it happens, but I find it kind of interesting.

    Monty and Harlow

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    1. Rita doesn't like to walk away from Momma with the hubs either. It is interesting, isn't it?

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  5. The cats are all me, anyone else and its hide under the bad or swat them lol

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  6. Abby looks so cute in those pictures. Luckily, I did not have the problem with Indy!

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  7. Roxy is almost an equal opportunity people lover, with me being slightly ahead. Torrey, mommas girl all the way. She loves Al, but I am her person for sure.

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    1. It makes you feel good, doesn't it? I can't help it... when Rita runs past the hubs to greet me, even though I feel a little bad for him, I kinda love it that she loves me so much! :)

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  8. Since I got all my dogs as adults, they love, or pretend to love, which ever human is near. They may not want to offend anyone or they are worried about being given to another human. Who really knows what is in the tiny, active brain of a dog?

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    1. We think Rita was worried at first about being passed on to another place, but now she knows this is her 'gig' and she's fiercely protective of our house and me! (Wouldn't it be interesting to get into their wee brains??)

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  9. WEll wesa not sure, we know our mom spends all her monies on us, to give us food and vet care etc. and hers takes us for walks, and plays wif us, BUTT dad sneaks us sweet tea.....see our dilemma....stella rose

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  10. Cooper is 100% a mama's boy. Through and through. He will even look at my for confirmation before doing something - even as simple as a sit - that John asks of him. He's constantly on my lap, at my feet, staring... The other two are pretty equal, but Cooper is definitely "my" dog!

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    1. I bet that makes John feel great when he looks at you for confirmation. :) It's nice to have a dog be "yours" though, isn't it?

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  11. Very easy question in our house. The favorite is hubby. He takes them hunting. How can a girl compete with that?

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    1. Haha! Yes, for a hunting dog that would be tough to compete with!

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  12. Well, Jackie you just blew my theory. What we have here is Daddy's poodle boy. I do the work etc, but he comes to me if he's hurt or sick. Otherwise, his playmate, and licking stick is dad.
    My lab Chelsea was mine, but she loved him too.
    Hey! I'm the needy one!! Over here! I want to be the chosen one! DH says it evens out, as he's the one woken in the night for walks or bad dreams.
    LeeAnna at not afraid of color

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    1. The hubs and I are both so needy! We both want to be The One! But yeah... there's something to be said for not being the one who gets woken up in the night! And even though Rita is Momma's girl, she sleeps up against Daddy - which I prefer! Can't stand to have her up against me since I like to flop around.

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  13. Mr. N is a total mama's boy and he has the shirt to prove it!

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    1. Oh, yes - Rita has a tag to prove she's a Mamma's Girl too!

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  14. Harley is definitely a "Momma's boy" hands down. Leo would give Doodle Dad the elusion he was a Poppa's Boy, but that was only on occasion. I think it's because I'm the cuter human #ha

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    1. That's nice that Harley would throw Doodle Dad a bone! I'm sure your cuteness is totally a factor! :)

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  15. Awe they are too cute!! Both of my girls are momma's girls but Zoe does love her Daddy, too! If they were given a choice though, they'd be with me.

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    1. Yeah, Rita loves her pop too. And so did Abby. And Bailey loved me - but when it came down to it, they all have had their favorites!

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  16. Ours have always been pretty good about treating us equally! I would expect them to be more attached to the person who is home with them more (which is me), and they might be, just a little bit (right now they're all with me and the hubby is alone in the kitchen) but I guess you could be right about the "absence makes the heart grow fonder" factor too.
    Oohh...can't wait for the book news!
    Jan, Wag 'n Woof Pets

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    1. I can't believe they are with you over hubby IN THE KITCHEN. Most dogs I know say 'screw it' as far as whoever is the favorite when it comes to someone (anyone!) being in the kitchen! :)

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    2. Ha ha, that's so true! Well, he wasn't cooking or anything....unfortunately....he was just sitting at the counter. :)

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  17. Our pups don't have a preference ~ they like to cuddle up with both of us. If Buzz has the choice, he'll usually go for Daddy when ball time is concerned ~ Daddy just throws better & farther than Mommy...Mommy throws "like a girl", BOL!

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    1. Haha! Yes, well, if the dog is ball crazy, then for sure Daddy's gonna win that one! :)

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  18. You're killing me with the book news!

    As for the question . . . it always seems like the dogs that love me best are males. My female dogs like me, don't get me wrong, but I'm not the all-time favorite. With this in mind (was it just superstition?) I intentionally chose a male puppy last time. AND I took three weeks off work to bond with the puppy and Hubby kept his distance during that time. Surprise, Jedi is a Mommy's boy!

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    1. Sooooon on the book news!

      Smart girl to purposely get a dog and take time off work for bonding! We've always had girls, so there's no male/female preference thing going on with us.

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  19. We are all mom's girls. I even cry when she leaves me behind. No one else is as important to us as mom.

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    1. Oh, that's good that you girls all love your mom. But don't cry, Emma! Mom always comes back for you, right?!

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  20. With Cody and Dakota it depends on the moment. Daddy is "Team Dog" but Dakota absolutely ADORES ME! I am "Team Cat" and Cody "talks" more to Daddy than he does me, he will come when Daddy calls him faster than when I do, but for cuddles he comes to me. Those crazy kids! lol

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    1. It's good that they spread the love around! Crazy kids indeed! :)

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  21. Greta loved her dad but she was totally devoted to me, a definite momma's girl. But as far as visitors, she always loved the men. Bailey & Hazel share their love, and so far, so does little Mabel.
    hugs
    Mr Bailey, Hazel & Greta

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    1. Oh, you must miss your little Momma's girl. That's nice that the others share their love though.

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  22. Great post & pics! My little girl, Phoebe is a total Mommy's girl. She prefers me over anyone else in the world. Our Husky, Isis, doesn't play favorites; actually she kinda just PLAYS US - LOL!
    Love & Biscuits,
    Cathy, Isis & Phoebe
    www.dogsluvusandweluvthem.blogspot.com

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    1. haha! She sounds like a smart one! Isn't it nice to be someone's favorite person in the whole world?

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  23. ohhhh you big tease, will be back wed. My gang I would have to say prefers me.Gambler is really a momma's boy the girs could do either way but when we both are home all the dogs want to lay by me.

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    1. That's a lotta dog to have laying by you! :) You could share!

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  24. What a great topic! Hum, I think there was little doubt with Harley, he was a mamma's boy but in all fairness we were together for 5 years before we met my hubby Denton. Shasta is a mixed bag. As a rescue he is still getting used to cuddling, he seems to relax best when lying next to either of us but on the few occasions he has cuddled it has been with his papa. I CANNOT WAIT FOR YOUR NEXT BOOK!!! :-)

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    1. Only fair that Harley would be more your dog, since he was there first! :)

      Not toooo much longer of a wait!

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  25. Lucy, while she loves her dad, is definitely a momma's girl!

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  26. I admit to having a bias towards boy dogs because, and it may be in my mind, I think they tend to be more affectionate. Id say our dogs are equally affectionate with both of us but I think Tubby tends to sit more with my husband these days and Weasley stays more with me

    retro rover

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    1. That's good that you each get a pup! Hmmm. I can't comment on your affectionate boy dogs theory, because we've always had girls!

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  27. They love both of us, but if I had to choose, Sampson is a Mama's Boy and I LOVE it. When Hubby comes home before me, Sampson runs to the back door and once he's outside he waits by the fence watching for me. When I come home he runs to the back door barking to come in. Then we lie on the floor while I love on him.

    If I come home before Hubby, we lie on the floor while I love on him. :-) See the pattern?

    Delilah loves us both and greets us both pretty much the same, as soon as she hears our car, she starts her own version of chatter.

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    1. LOL! That sounds a lot like our house. If the hubs comes home without me, she runs out into the garage looking for me. If I come home w/ out him, we run inside and sit on the couch and love each other. THEN she goes looking for him. :)

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  28. I do love those photos of Miss Abby, but you guys all look cute in all of the pics. Yep -- I've seen Rita's Momma's girl thing in action a time or two, and it's serious! Reg is happiest when we are a threesome. A split in the herd is an affront to his basic instincts. He even comes and rounds me up so I can stand by and watch when Jon feeds him or takes him out one last time before bed. But I do think I get the warmer greeting when I've been away from the house than Jon does. ;)

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    1. That's so funny that he has to herd you to come see what he's up to. He's a nut. It is nice to get the warmer greeting. :)

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  29. We have always had two dogs, for the very reason that you talk about. We each like being at least one dog's favorite. Fortunately, it's always worked out that way. It's probably partly because we each take one dog for their morning romp in the forest - and that's the highlight of our dogs' days!!!!

    What a fun post!

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    1. Oh, yeah - gotta love the person who takes you for your forest romp! It's a good thing one of you doesn't take both dogs for the romping. It wouldn't be fair to have both dogs be favoring just one of the humans! Nobody wants to be that guy!

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  30. My late beloved Lucy was so much a mama's girl that Gary claimed she didn't love him at all ;-) These days Rosie is definitely a daddy's girl, Jeffie is a mama's boy and Rudy is a lover of whoever looks like they just might do something exciting :-)

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    1. Awww, poor Gary not getting love from Lucy! (If he's anything like the hubs though, I bet he exaggerates a bit, no? I'm sure she loved him!) Rita is happy Jeffie loves mama's best - another thing they have in common! Too funny about Rudy. :)

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  31. OuR black lab, Bridgette, is a mommas girl. I found her as an abandoned 9 wk old puppy at the river. She loves her daddy too, waits at the door for him, but prioritizes me over him. Snuggles and kisses.

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