Chewing in tandem
In another example of what Barry refers to as my 'shoot, aim, observe' attitude, in a hurry, as usual, I wrote before I thought carefully enough. Of course, Gilbert and Roxy are not 'in tandem' but side by side. I still think 'in tandem' sounds nice even if it isn't strictly accurate!
Arthur is here for the day, to Roxy and Gilbert's delight.
A working Cocker spaniel is very different to a working Labrador. Arthur is much busier and always has to have something in his mouth, usually two or three somethings. Labradors are more relaxed. Even Gilbert at 18 weeks, is ready to flop down and sleep. We are told that Arthur sleeps all day at home, but when he's with us he doesn't stop until we put him in Gilbert's crate., obviously not with Gilbert! When he's with his working Cocker friend, they play themselves to exhaustion.
After a riotous and extremely noisy play session, with Roxy watching the two youngsters and grumbling at them to be quiet, they settled down with chews. We gave them Himalayan Yak milk chews, which kept them busy for a while, until they started trying to pinch each other's chew, at which point we separated them.
Yak milk! Is there anything that isn't used to try and sell exotic pet food. Mr T objects to carrots and cranberries in his food.
ReplyDeleteThey are a better alternative to rawhide chews or furniture. Rawhide can get stuck in throats and removing it is delightful.
DeleteNobby's activity levels are definitely closer to a cocker spaniel than a Labrador. (That said, we have a youngish cocker spaniel next door who is actually quite lazy.)
ReplyDeleteCycling enthusiast Gail got all excited when she saw the word 'tandem' but was a bit disappointed not to be reading about a 'bicycle made for two'!
Sorry to disappoint! Our aim always is to please ;-)
DeleteI used to think tandem parking was side by side. I don't know why. Tandem bicycles are not two bikes wide and my thinking defied logic. Himalayan milk yak chews... Really!
ReplyDeleteThe chews save the furniture!
DeleteI buy rawhide or dried pigs ear chews for my sister's dog and send them as a Christmas gift. Roxy has very long claws.
ReplyDeleteWe used to use rawhide chews until one got stuck in a dog's throat and had to be hauled out.
ReplyDeleteRoxy's claws are long because she doesn't run on hard surfaces like pavements. Sometimes she has a pedicure at the vet.
Aw - don't they look contented. xx
ReplyDeleteThey're always happy with food :-)
DeleteWell, I have learned something new today: the proper meaning of tandem! A second meaning is "to work together" and I think that's what led me astray all these years. I like Barry's description of your approach! I also like the idea of those chews instead of rawhide. Do the dogs enjoy them? I'm thinking from the look of them the answer is yes.
ReplyDeleteThe dogs love the chews. They're not as hard as antler chews ,which can break teeth and they're cheaper than new furniture!
ReplyDeleteI love your dogs, if only I could still have one (or maybe two). Millie has been dead and gone for three years. I think I am too old and I don't want to have to leave a dog to have to get settled in yet another home. But I miss my dogs terribly.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if a middle-aged dog looking for a home might help - not too demanding of exercise and grateful for a warm place by the fireside. It's a quandary, I know, and I feel for you.
ReplyDeleteWhat would be life without observing our pets !! They make us laugh more than a comedy ! I always remember Arthur who watched a Golf game and each time the ball fell in the hole he looked under the TV ! We weren't interested in the Golf play, but watching Arthur was so funny !
ReplyDeleteI agree. Our pets make us laugh every day and keep us young(er) Our cats like watching rugby.
DeleteI am certain your fur babies provide hours of joy and entertainment.
ReplyDeleteThey certainly do :-)
ReplyDeleteI see that you always give Roxy a large chew and Gilbert a smaller one, but they often swap over. That is amazing.. to share precious bones in a friendly way :) I wish our children had been so thoughtful.
ReplyDeleteIt is quite surprising, given that Roxy is such a pig!
ReplyDelete