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Note To Daddy: Buy More Treats -- Chai

Guilty Dog Owner!

Guilty Dog Owner!

My dog, Chai, is an expert at making me feel guilty. She has facial expressions and puppy eyes that say, "If you loved me you would...[give me a bite of your grilled cheese sandwich]...[let me stay outside for a little longer]...[stop what you're doing and play with me]..."

I wonder if Chai actually knows she is manipulating me or if it's just her canine instinct and facial reaction to her woof-centered moods and wants.

Of course, as a guilty dog owner, I proceed to unwrap myself from her pinkly toe (finger?) and giver her what she wants. At this point I have to apologize to all of the dog trainers and people who think a dog should be perfectly trained into absolute obedience with manners befitting a tea party with the Queen.

I think Chai's manipulative manners are quite cute and they giver her and even more childlike stature. Now, if she wasn't in good health and a bite of the grilled cheese would harm her I would absolutely substitute the treat for a more healthy alternative. But, for now, she is happy, mannered to my liking, and in great health; so, Queen Elizabeth, we'll have to pass on the tea party unless you will give Chai a crumpet. You know what, come to think of it, it sounds a bit stuffy for me, too.

What are your thoughts on the manipulative nature of dogs?


Tom Berger
Co-Owner
Pretentious Pooch
Baltimore Maryland Dog Boutique
1017 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-7777
www.pretentiouspooch.com

Changing Me

This week I went to the Falls Road Animal Hospital. I’m not sure what happened in there but when I was finished my belly hurt a little bit and I have a weird cut down the middle. I don’t feel any different but I know something has changed.

I had to spend a night at the hospital. Everyone was very nice and I was a little tired, but staying in a crate all day wasn’t very fun. I was so glad to see my Daddies when they came to pick me up that I peed on the floor.

I found a new source of food. If no one is looking I can sneak up to the third floor and eat all the kitties’ food. It’s not as good as mine but I fill up anyway. But it has its consequences. When my Daddies find out I’ve been scavaging up there I get a mad look, a shake of the finger, loud voice, and sometimes get put in my crate—without a treat!

I found a new outside. In the back of the house is an outside made of wood. There are a lot of good smells out there and some good eats, too. I like getting after leaves and plants but I get in trouble when I do. It’s fun to get outside though. I like the running water, but it scares me a little.

It’s been rainy so I have been wearing my rain coat. I like wearing clothing because I get lots of attention from strangers. My Daddies took me to the park in my raincoat and took some photos of me. I had fun just walking.

Plop-Plop Fizz-Fizz

On Friday, I went to the puppy park where I was let off my leash for a little while to play freely with the other pups. Most of the other dogs were real nice, but one dog got a little rough and bit me. On Saturday, I went to the closer park and played with my flying squirrel. There weren’t very many puppies around. I played with one small dog and it got nasty and bit me.

I got sick in the night; really bad. I went all over my crate and had to lay in it until I could bark loud enough to wake my Daddies. I couldn’t help it. I had to get an emergency bath and I had to go out every 15 minutes. My Daddies stayed up with me through the night and that made me feel a lot better.

Sunday, I threw up my breakfast, which was just some rice and an egg. So, my Daddy took me to the doctor where I got fluids under my skin and some tests. Everything is fine now—I have special food and a little pill I take each day. While at the doctor, I got weighed. I know weigh 46lbs.

I feel better now, thanks to my Daddies.