Posts Tagged ‘dog treats’
New Game
It’s like a board game for dogs! Cyndie gave Delilah a new present to challenge her intrepid canine intellect. It started slowly, with Delilah unclear about the particulars of moving the sliding tiles to uncover the treats her nose was telling her were inside.
When it comes to doggie treats, a certain sense of urgency is demonstrated. Miss D was showing little interest in learning the nuances of this “game” with her intense focus on getting another treat between her teeth no matter what it took.
A little timid at first, Delilah used only her nose to push aside the sliding covers in order to inhale the treat as it was exposed.
Then she rose to her feet for better leverage and tried gripping at the tiles with her teeth.
Before the first session with her new game was over, she was sliding some of the pieces with her paw.
When the game came out again later in the afternoon for a second session, Delilah showed impressive improvement in refining her techniques at solving the challenges of uncovering treats. The treat for us was being able to witness her curiosity and intelligence so visibly demonstrated.
That is infinitely more satisfying than when she thrashes at our windows barking endlessly at a squirrel in the yard.
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Split Second
I thought Delilah had tripped. She appeared to stumble as one of her paws slid out from under her on the landing in front of the door to the house.
We had just returned from tending to the horses for the afternoon feeding where Delilah had uncovered one of her prized possessions: hoof trimmings. She had retrieved it from a hiding spot and was clenching the precious find in her teeth as we walked straight back to the house.
There are no detours at this point, because Delilah knows that the next order of business involves serving her dinner. I’m sure the cut of hoof was intended for dessert.
I guess she wasn’t expecting there would be appetizers, too.
As I was sweetly questioned Delilah about what had just happened, using a soft, comforting, albeit confused tone, the wingtip of a songbird appeared out of the side of the dog’s mouth.
I stuttered in surprise for a second and before I could utter a command for her to drop it, the bird let out a little tweet. This brought about two reactions.
I switched to my loud voice to demand that she drop it, and Delilah quickly began chomping.
Sorry about the image that may create, but keep in mind, I had to see and hear it first-hand. You get off easy.
All it takes is a split second.
Then, in one complete second, Delilah swallows and bends down to pick up her piece of hoof. She looks up at the door handle, and then me, ready to go in for dinner.
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I’d lost my appetite, but it didn’t slow her down one bit. For my part, I cut back her portion of canned food in her serving. She just had her protein.
If you could use some consolation, there was a mark on the glass of the storm door that revealed a reason for a bird to be laying on the front step. It might not have been dead when Delilah snatched it, but its demise may have already been determined.
I’m sure Delilah’s intentions were entirely directed by compassion.
Mmm hmmm.
She’s such a dog.
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Relative Something 