All your food belongs to me
How do you reward a self-sufficient dog? Our house sitter is starting to act a bit like the unruly babysitter, who never went home from an evening on guard with the growl of a hungry stomach. When you (the babysitter) were paid hard time wages amounting to fifty cents per hour, the liberties of the refrigerator seemed to be part of the deal. But what about a dog, who has suddenly discovered the virtues of the kitchen counter?
Our first reaction was that there might be a medical reason. Could this be a symptom of endocrine disorder? How about dietary deprivation? But after consulting with a number of others who co-reside with canines, we’ve been fortunate that the swag has been limited to stale rye bread or boxed apple pie (similar flavour). A recent raid on a bag of granola was stymied by the double bag; technology over instinct.
Someone at work recently had the pleasure of finding a roast chicken carcass in the corner of the family room. Another has lost pieces of the leash (only to have the pieces returned weeks later in a moment of intestinal volcanism). A third has taken to locking away the human food, in a manner similar to familiies with teenage boys. In passing we have teenage boys, but we haven’t had to hide the food so far; mileage may vary according to your model.
I guess losing cheap apple pies is a small price to pay for the constant companionship provided by a snoring dog. And we will probably continue to put the “good stuff” up higher, out of sight and mind.
