Strange dog smells

Yesterday my parents came home smelling like dogs and it's been driving me crazy! Where were they? Why would they smell like strange dogs? Why didn't they take me with them? In my quest to answer these questions I've been considering the following possibilities:

Possibility # 1 They went to a dog store to find me a sibling.

It's been a long time since I last had brothers and sisters around. I don't remember much from this time but I do know that I was very young and spent most of my time fighting to get my share of the milk. I wasn't able to enjoy their company until after my belly was full. Once my hunger subsided I would snuggle in and fall asleep. It was during these last waking moments that I appreciated the warmth and familiarity of my brothers and sisters. What would it be like now? What if they brought home a dog? Would we get along? Would I have to fight for my share of the food? Would they make me share my cozy bed? What if my parents decided they liked my sibling better than me? To be on the safe side I think I'll be an extra good girl for the next few days, then they will see how unnecessary siblings are.

Possibility # 2 They visited a dog trainer and plan to enroll me in obedience school.

This would be worse than sharing my house with another dog. I've seen how trained dogs act. They are like robots that do whatever their parents command. They sit, fetch, roll over, and walk beside their parents. How awful! They don't get to eat street food or run ahead of their parents whenever they feel like it or bark at anything that moves. Would they take me to obedience school? I know they get upset with me sometimes, but they wouldn't do this to me would they? To be on the safe side I think I'll be an extra good girl for the next few days, then they will see how unnecessary obedience school is.

Possibility # 3 They met an ex-lion tamer with a travelling circus who now trains dogs.

I couldn't help but imagine this catastrophe. I've heard about circus dogs before and the whole thing would be a nightmare. I'd have to wear a tutu and walk on my hind legs and do all sorts of tricks all to entertain bored people. I'd be hungry, lonely, and have no choice but to run away. My parents aren't considering selling me to a circus are they? Don't they know how unnatural and humiliating it would be? Don't they know I'd miss them? I figure this is the least likely possibility, but I couldn't help thinking it. You must understand that I'm an anxious dog with lots of time to think. To be on the safe side I think I'll be an extra good girl for the next few days, then they will see how unnecessary circuses are.

I still don't know where my parents went, why they came home smelling like strange dogs, and why they failed to invite me, but I've come to realize that there are many things I will never know. My sense of smell can only tell me a finite amount of information. I hate not knowing, but there is little I can do about it. I will simply have to trust that my parents love me and will take me places when they can, and leave me home when they can't.

Did I mention they brought home dog food?

With love & cuddles,
Lottie



Lesson# 37 Smells can be deceiving.

The lump

My parents tricked me! Instead of taking me on a fun car ride to the park, they took me to the veterinarian! They wanted to show the man the mysterious new lump on my belly. Don't they know how much I hate it there?

The awful smell was the first thing to hit me. The place looked very clean, but smelled like a mixture of bleach and other chemicals, in addition to the smell of fear. Humans probably don't notice this since their noses are not built for it, but animals give off a unique smell when they are afraid. Fear smells kind of earthy, sweaty, and sour. It doesn't make for a relaxing environment despite the good intentions of the people there.

The lady at the front spoke softly to me and even offered me a treat this time but I declined. It's hard to enjoy a snack when you're shaking from fear. After they weighed me I got to see the vet. He seemed nice enough, but he always pokes me! This time he decided that my lump needed to be removed and sent away to a lab for testing. My parents are hoping it is benign whatever that means. After the examination the man took me away and the next thing I remember was walking back down the hall and seeing my parents. I was so tired on the way home that I could barely keep my head up. Jenny told me that the vet gave me a sedative and a local anesthetic before removing the lump and sewing me back up.

That evening was rough. After the sedative wore off I felt the pain and whimpered frequently. Jenny stayed close by and did her best to soothe me, but things didn't get any better until the next day. The 2nd day brought discomfort and minimal movement. I found it hard to get comfortable and didn't do any jumping or running. My parents kindly picked me up and put me on the couch or chair whenever they noticed I wanted up. I've also slept a lot lately. It's just easier that way. My stitches were especially itchy on the 3rd day. I had to get sneaky with my scratching since Jenny was quick to stop me which was very frustrating. Things have improved each day since then.

I still don't understand why I got a lump, or why it had to be removed, but I know myself well enough to know that there is much I don't know, and will never know. The one thing I am most sure of is that my parents love me and will do their best to keep me healthy (even if it involves a small measure of deceit). If anyone wanted my recipe for happiness I would tell them that the two most important ingredients are love and health. As I learn more I will bark you the rest of the recipe...

With love & cuddles,
Lottie



Lesson# 24 Look after yourself and when you can't let those who love you help.

Personal hygiene

I've noticed that people spend a lot more time than dogs on personal hygiene. They shower, spray themselves with smelly perfumes, and alter their appearance with powders, paints, shaves and hair cuts. It all seems kind of pointless to me. Why do they do it?

Do they not like their own smell? Or is it that they don't want others to smell them? I happen to like my own smell and I don't care who knows it. I also don't like getting wet so showers and baths are out of the question, however I will confess that I hate getting sand or stones stuck between my claws and I do feel better after Jenny has cleaned me up.

Do they not like how they look? Or are they trying to disguise themselves? I think I'm pretty cute, at least that's what my parents tell me. Sometimes I think it might be cool to disguise myself as a bigger dog but even if all my fur stood straight up or if it was painted a different colour I wouldn't look any more intimidating, just fluffier. If I need to look scarier I just bark loudly and show my teeth. This almost always works.

Recently my parents have added two new tools to my personal hygiene regimen : beef flavoured toothpaste and a Batman toothbrush. Actually they've been brushing my teeth for a long time already but I usually have to endure peanut flavoured paste and an adult sized toothbrush. I just don't understand why they can't give me real peanut butter or beef strips? Wouldn't that be easier?

While I don't understand this I do know that they are very concerned about my teeth. They tell me they are helping me keep my teeth because they love me. I know I'm pretty lucky. I just hope all this tooth brushing works because I need my teeth!! How could I eat without them?

With love & cuddles,
Lottie



Lesson#18 Don't forget to brush your teeth!