Dogs are such creatures of habit.
Every night around 9:00 pm, hubby and I have a snack. We extended this habit to Sampson and to Delilah when she joined our pack.
It immediately became clear that the dogs must be separated when treats were around. I handed Sampson his treat and Delilah hers. Delilah swallowed hers and then took Sampson’s right out of his mouth. He and I both stood there for a second in complete and utter shock. Then I walked over to Delilah and wrestled the treat from her mouth and handed it back to Sampson.
This did not phase Delilah in the least, she went right back to Sampson and again took the treat from his mouth. I was furious and determined. I went right back to Delilah and re-wrestled her for the treat. At which point I grabbed her collar to prevent her from repeating her faux paw.
In retrospect, I realize how ignorant I was to 1) assume that she would act the same way Sampson did and 2) take for granted that she wouldn’t bite my hand off for taking food away from her.
Sampson was the dog I nurtured from puppyhood. I wanted to make sure he was raised in the appropriate way, we always hand fed him, we played with him and his treats, we played with his feet all to make sure he was a well-natured, well-mannered dog. In my naiveness it never dawned on me that all dogs are not raised by responsible pet owners.
Delilah was my first-hand experience of a dog that didn’t have a caring owner.
Flash forward to present day.
I am reminded beginning about 8:45 pm by Delilah that snack time is approaching. She does this by walking up to me and staring at me; sometimes she barks, but I stand my ground! Not a moment before 9:00, because if I do then she will expect it and before I know it, snack time will be before dinner. 🙂
I can stare her into submission.
Delilah thinks she’s won the lottery at snack time, she runs to the pantry, jumping and leaping for joy, almost tripping you or knocking you down to win the prize. This happens every single night.
Most nights I give Sampson his treat first and he runs off to the bedroom, snack in mouth. If for some reason the bedroom door is shut, then he comes back and looks at me and I go and open the door for him.
Delilah runs into the living room with her treat and inhales there. Once she has finished her treat she goes into the bedroom and waits for Sampson to move so she can inspect the bed for crumbs and clean up after him like the good mama dog that she is.
Last night Sampson headed off for the bedroom and then turned around and came back. Hubby said, “What’s the matter big boy?”
And it dawned on me, the cat was on the bed. If the cat is on the bed before him, Sampson will NOT get on the bed. If Bob jumps up on the bed while Sampson is sleeping, then it is ok but not vice versa.
Help me mama, help help me mama, help me mama , help help me mama, help me mama yeah, get him offa the bed.
I reminded Sampson he is a 90 pound dog and Bob weighs 10 pounds dripping wet as I walked past him into the bedroom. Luckily Bob was already on his way out to see what all the fuss was about.
Silly dog.
Recent Comments