Dogs Claim Squatters Rights
Posted on March 19, 2009 by Nancy Houser
"I think my brother did it, or even my sister. But it SURE the heck wasn't me!!"
Writing is not supposed to be a hard thing unless you have nine dogs parking their butts under your feet and claiming squatters rights, plus you have writer’s block on day one of your new blog. How good can it get after that?
Working up ideas for the dog blog ”Way Cool Dogs”, I have had many people question me about what I was going to put into it. They do not seem to think there will be a problem, especially with the support of the fuzzy cheerleading group at my heels. My mom used to say, “when in doubt, just stand still.” So my mind does just that…from moment to moment, anyway.
Maybe it’s because my precious Miss Holly Higgins, the six-year-old long-haired black and tan dachshund will begin to bark hysterically every time a feed truck races by filled to the brim with corn. She doesn’t bark at the empty ones, so I have come to the conclusion it must be because of the gigantic flock of squawking crows traveling in fast pursuit behind it. If I could read birds’ minds, I could see they were desperately hoping for their daily ration of feed to be spilled out front, directly in front of the dilapidated old mail box hanging off the front drive-way. And I would be lying if I didn’t say it does happen occasionally!
Or maybe it’s because of old Goldie—alias “Popcorn”–the 14-year old female wheaten Cairn Terrier who has developed a slight case of dementia over the years and naps every second of the day she can grab onto. But every now and then she kind of comes to’ and will begin to run in circles, barking like crazy until she eventually remembers it’s time to go outside. And then don’t ever get in her way!
The reason we call her Popcorn is because she exhibits similar dog behavior when she thinks we are making popcorn for her…for obvious reasons, of course. This requires us to be really-on-our toes when she is eating popcorn and then suddenly remembers she needs to toilet at the same time … again, for obvious reasons!
The problem is when Popcorn goes out to toilet, we have to start calling her to come back in eventually as she forgets she ever went outside in the first place. I have worked in the carehomes for over 15 years, and see a strong resemblance in this sort of thing, with us eventually having to bring her back inside. We find her sitting in her favorite corner of the yard, staring at absolutely nothing at all, but with a very contented look on her face—while looking rather startled when we come and get her, as if to say, “how did I ever get out here?”
Well, we’re pretty sympathetic to the old dog, as that’s how we feel some days. Full of developing dog dementia and wondering how we got here but refusing to change a day of it! LOL Anyway, I have an idea the dog blog “Way Cool Dogs” will evolve through the days with the dogs telling the stories…with us being led by the needs of the dogs and what they want us to say!!
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Steve Young
- 9th May, 10 05:05pm
I love dogs first of all. If I said anything else I would probably get thrown out of my second floor window. They are wonderful. However if you are going to get one like Miss Molly, or Popcorn, I would suggest track shoes, the location of the nearest pharmacy (for you) as you will need tranquizers by the pickup load.