I’m staying with my family in Australia and they have 3 charming dogs. One of them is called Hector. And he hates me.
We met, middle of the day, when I was majorly jetlagged and must have looked incredibly shady. He growled at me and I was scared because I get scared when animals make fight noises. Despite this we soon bonded. He would stare intensely at me from his bed, plotting my murder. And I would secretly pet him on the head when no one was looking.
The first attempt came a week later. He barked at me as I was coming down the stairs into the kitchen. I jumped out of my skin and slipped landing hard on my ass! I was then face to face to with Hector. I have never shot up so quickly from the floor. He couldn’t believe his luck- his incredibly feeble attempt to intimidate me to death had almost succeeded. He actually felt bad and stared woefully at me all evening (or maybe he was gutted I’m still alive!).
Today the bond we have now built has been tested! He came bounding up to greet me, tennis ball in mouth, tail wagging. My primitive mind perceived this as him gunning for me mouth wide open, teeth flashing, ready to chomp the first thing he could grab. I yelled “SHUT YOUR MOUTH!”. He froze, the ball tumbled from his jaws and he sidled away in disappointment. This is, according to my family, the most hilarious thing I have done whilst here, although Hector doesn't agree. From the way he keeps looking at me, the sting of rejection is still too raw.
Hector, he just wanted me to play with him. Hector, who was just guarding his family. Hector, who is really not at all scary. Hector, the most misunderstood dog I’ve ever met.