Max's New Pal or Why He Didn't Kill Rufus

Despite being only 20 pounds, Max is very aggressive. When he sees another dog, he instantly switches to Kill Mode: lunging, growling, chattering his teeth and sometimes foaming at the mouth. Needless to say, we keep Max away from other dogs.

Two weeks ago, we drove to the local SPCA to look for another dog. We were surpirsed to see so many English Setters until we learned the SPCA doubles as an English Setter rescue. The dogs were all beautiful, but we chose Cutter, a handsome red and white male who was given up because he couldn't hunt. He had been at the shelter for 13 months, and we decided this boy really needed a home.

There was one small problem: Max. We thought he would like having a buddy, but we had to figure out how to introduce the two without Max ripping Cutter's head off. We suspected that might not make a good impression on the shelter workers.

I strapped on Max's muzzle (an essential piece of equipment for a Fox Terrier owner) and took him into the exercise yard to meet Cutter. I dropped Max's leash and he launched himself at Cutter, driving for the kill. He bounced off, and lunged again. And again. And again.

After 15 minutes, he finally realized he couldn't bite Cutter and gave up, panting and perplexed. We signed the adoption papers, drove Max and Cutter home, and turned them loose in our large, fenced yard. Max renewed the attack: chase, leap, bounce, chase, leap, bounce, but wasn't able to score a single bite.

Half an hour later, he stopped and stood staring at Cutter. I gingerly removed the muzzle, ready to grab him if he leaped. Instead, he and Cutter approached slowly and sniffed noses. Then they exchanged a signal -- let's play! -- and took off around the yard on a game of doggy tag. They haven't stopped since.

The trick was getting Max past his natural agression, and the muzzle did the trick. He and Rufus (we changed Cutter's name; Rufus is Latin for red) are a real Odd Couple. Rufus is tall and elegant, Max is tiny with a huge nose. Rufus is relaxed and easy going, Max is focused and intense. Rufus is curled up at my feet, Max is upstairs trying to eat the cat.

Ah, doggy domesticity.