poke poke poke

mwaaaaaah

This is happening right now.

And I'm being a hairless ape with THUMBS and IGNORING IT.

We have a song, "Underfoot Puppy" to the tune of "Paperback Writer" for such occasions.

Ahahaha!!! That's PERFECT and I'm going to begin using it at the next opportune dog-in-the-way occasion.

Verses and everything?

Eta: because if there are verses I must learn them. I think I get how the chorus goes

Lucy's favorite rawhide sticks are known in my family (and to her) as dogoways - "dog go away" slurred into one word. And they work!

Steph, you're moving into petland soon, aren't you? May I suggest bribes?

Hee. The chorus is as you would expect. The verses are strictly improvisational, based on how miffed we are and exactly what damage and chaos has been loosed.

And while we're telling animal stories, today the SO took Seabiscuit to visit the build. Reportedly, he was alarmed at the lack of yard, which, evidently, he had expected to remain available strictly for his use. And then he went inside the house for the first time, which was very exciting.

And he was completely baffled by the open stud walls. He would run up to them, and then stop suddenly and peer through them. Then he would turn and go around them through the proper doorways. Eventually he went through, but with a mystified look on his face. He especially enjoyed the deck, despite the fact that it doesn't have a proper floor yet, which will probably continue indefinitely.

Devi's cursings use the term "Baby" and Mister Kitty's are "Boyo" when I don't use their actual names. There are a lot of things that rhyme with that. Well, especially with Devi. Once people get that I haven't named her "Debby" they start adding an L. Which, um...well, when she has her biting fits, sure. Otherwise, notsomuch. Well, ok, she's kinda a bitch kitty. But she's really cute and makes cute noises! And she cuddles, really ! (just only when she wants.)

Liese, that reminds me of how utterly bewildered the family cats were when we moved, after living in the same house their whole lives ~10 years (and to a home 2x the size). One cat never got over it. She'd stand at the threshold of a room and HOWL (she was siamese) until a human came to escort her across the expanse. All that space freaked her walnut brain out. She did that for 5 years, until her death. My poor mom (the only light sleeper in the house.)

Bartleby communicates exclusively through stares. The big 5 stares...which I have fortunately learned to identify. The good thing about that is no whining, the bad thing about that is stealth and suffering if I don't happen to notice where he is/what he needs.

I recite the 5 phrases of stare, i.e. Do you want breakfast or supper, go pee, outside (which is different, and walk oriented) and go to bed. He waits patiently until I hit the right one and then makes a little jump.

Speaking of walking, he's nearly 7 and I've never taught him to heel. Thanks to the Dog Whisperer (tm) and a 10 inch leash, we are enjoying the best walks of our life together! Longer and way more fun. No sniffing, pulling, dodging about or messing with other creatures unless I let him go. It's a dream! Plus, he walks way, way faster with this method, so we are both getting superior exercise.

I don't agree with everything Cesar Millan says, but this leash thing rocks. And my winter on ice will be much less perilous!