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.
Love the photos, the look on Sampson’s face if priceless and I can see the determination in Delilah’s.
That is something I like about dogs, the habits they have, sometimes the bad ones are a little annoying but all in all thats what makes them who they are! 🙂
They definitely have their own quirks and personalities and everyone of them are different. That’s what I love about them!
To summerize… Sampson it a total GENTLEman!
My mom always tells about WAAAAAY back before ME when they had the THREE shorthairs… THEY were ALWAYS wanting Supper… EARLIER and EARLIER soooo she went to the TIMER method.. She would set the timer to ring at 5:00 and they would wait “Patiently” fur it to go off… THEN all bets were Off.. hehehe
LOL Frankie, she trained them to be Pavlov’s dogs! Are you on a timer?
Awe poor Sampson. Can’t a guy enjoy his treat in peace!
Our dogs know the exact moment of the food. It is really something. They can be dead asleep, but at the exact moment of the food, they are wide awake!
LOL anytime Delilah thinks there is food, she is awake. Just like your guys she can be dead asleep and she will sit there waiting, sometimes falling asleep sitting up! LOL
Delilah is bold! I can’t believe she takes the treat directly out of his mouth. I don’t know if it’s hilarious or just really sad. Poor Sampson sounds like he is the bottom rung in your household. It’s fantastic he puts up with Delilah otherwise you could have a serious fight on your hands. Resources are not something dogs usually take lightly. You have done sucha great job raising him!
Kristine, she has gotten much better. She no longer takes the treat from his mouth, but it was very rocky in the beginning. She does however lick his bowl once he is done, I mean really clean it.
He is a very good boy, if I could clone him I could literally make millions. 🙂
I feel so bad for her, because whoever had her before really did a number on her. We laugh at her antics, but it really is sad. Even after four years she doesn’t trust that we will always feed her. 🙁
This is a funny post! Why spend hundreds of dollars each year to go out when you can get this kind of entertainment right at home?
I wrote a post a while back about dogs and their internal clock. You might enjoy reading it at http://thecvillean.wordpress.com/2011/06/01/queen-abigails-magical-clock/.
I feel like I’m really getting to know those pups of yours.
Yes, my funny puppies…lol I will be checking out your post.
We don’t spend money on entertainment; we don’t need to! LOL
Haha, they are so funny with their irrational anxieties, aren’t they?
Poor Sampson, I know that face! Too worried about finding the right place, the right time, the exact right circumstances to settle down to his chew that he can’t enjoy just having the chew.
Sounds like you are doing a great job with management, letting everyone have his or her own space to relax into a good snack.
We do what we have to, right? 🙂
Love it!! If I crack and feed my dogs one minute early, then the next day they’re asking for it two minutes early. Pretty soon they’d be asking as soon as they finished their earlier meal. What characters.
I came over from Kim’s blog at Golden Pines. It’s nice to meet you.
Sue
Sue, it is nice to meet you! Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment.
Yes, mine would do the exact same thing (well Delilah would anyway!) I especially won’t give in in the morning, she would have me up at 4:00 am if I would let her. 🙂
Do you have a blog? I would love to check it out.
too funny “faux paw”, this was a good one Jodi. Poor poor long suffering Sampson, so cute.
LOL Kathy, poor Sampson his life has changed so with the addition of Delilah.
Hi Guys! We found you via Frankie’s blog so droped by to say hi. Not sure how to follow you though, our Mom is a bit slow when it comes to these things, anyway we’re sorry to meet you on a day when one of you is poorly. There’s nothing worse than a tummy upset, so we hope you’re feeing better todat Samson. Nice to meet you both and look forward to hearing all about you, Dex and Louis xxx
Thanks for popping over. There is a “sign me up” on the right hand side of the page if you scroll down. You will get e-mails when we post.
This post really had me lol-ing! Especially those pictures!!
They make me laugh every day!!