In The Doghouse
This dang pup is killing me.
Our boarder-dogs, Sonny and Sid, reunited with their owners on Saturday. Since then, we’ve been trying to get Neko to realize that Elliott, our cat who spent most of last week pissed in the basement, has seniority over him and generally does not like to socialize with other animals who could be described as “perky” if they were human. He’s too cool for that. To Elliott’s credit, he has been relatively tolerable, but it’s only a matter of time before Neko gets too close and Elliott gives him the pimp paw across the face.
Unfortunately, Neko’s less-than-stellar pooping outdoors skills have set off a literal shitstorm. Neko corners Elliott places, who ends up dropping a deuce wherever for lack of access to his litterbox, and probably in protest of our inclusion of a new animal into the mix without first consulting him. Chris stepped in one of Neko’s gifts early this morning.
Asher was a puppy before Chris and I met. By the time we hooked up, Asher was a sweet, well-mannered, adult dog past the age of chewing things and pooping inside. I suppose I knew that puppy ownership did, in fact, mean I would be exposed to unfortunately-placed piss, shit, and puke. I guess I just didn’t realize those things would all come on the same day. This is probably good preparation for a tiny human who operates similarly.
As is the energy! The ENERGY! Neko wants to wrestle with Asher all the time. Asher will oblige, but it just gets to the point where he says “Bitch, please. I’m the elder statesman around here. Get off my scruff.” But even if Asher stands stock still, there’s Neko, trying to jump on top of him or walk under his legs. Serves her right she walked underneath Asher yesterday while he was peeing on a bush on our walk.
She has also been caught, on more than one occasion, trying to chew my power cord for the laptop. Listen here, little girl: playing with Mama’s laptop is like playing with her emotions. Don’t try me. You’ll be cut off from your bone supply quicker than you can say rawhide panties. Asher knows this.
Despite all this, I can’t help but smile when I feel her curl up at my feet, and I can’t help but laugh watching her trying to run with her too-big legs. Today she woke me from my trying-to-stave-off-a-cold nap by climbing on the couch and licking my ear. All dogs want is love and food and they’ll give love back, generously.
I’m getting soft in my old age.
(On June 29th, 2010 at 4:00 pm)
Sounds just like Arlo & Lewis. That little dog exhausts me, too. Maybe we should trade house-training stories & tips? Sheesh.
(On June 29th, 2010 at 8:02 pm)
One of Animal Planet’s dog trainers insists that if you schedule feedings, you will then be able to predict when the dog needs to go outside to poop.
Either she’s entirely wrong, or the dog I grew up with had a secret food supply…
(On June 30th, 2010 at 10:11 am)
Man, Neko is just like Sonny was as pup. I stepped in her shit/piss/vomit more times than I care to remember. My advice is lots of walks and/or running around the park. Lots. That’s what chilled Sonny out. Asher’s mellow-ness will probably wear off on her a bit too.