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Ask Dog Lady

Thursday Dec 27, 2018

Advice on Pets, Life, Love

Dear Dog Lady,

My little Gizmo was an abandoned terrier mix. She came into the shelter with ticks, tapeworm, whipworm and a burn. She also had a sore on her leg and was underweight. As I looked around the shelter and saw the little shaky dog, I fell in love with her. She is the joy in my life and is the best little dog in the world. She has never done any messes in the house nor tore up anything. She does have one strange habit. She enjoys carrying one or two or even three socks or slippers in her mouth and whimpers as she tries to "bury" them in her bed or the couch. She even pushes imaginary dirt over them. She is five years old. Do you know why she does this?

Michele

Dear Michele,
Over years writing this column and delving into the magical thinking of dogs, Dog Lady has concluded that when they do quirky things such as carrying nightgowns, slippers, or dancing around food and letting out a happy yowl when you enter the room, they celebrate life. They're not worrying about predators, sickness, ill health, hunger or any of the immediate fears inherent in their species. They are merely going to their happy place. In dogs, reverting to primitive behavior brings them joy — such as pushing imaginary dirt over a couple of socks buried in the couch. Gizmo acts out the rituals of his ancestors because he's completely comfortable to be a dog. You have made him secure. He does not feel abandoned, unloved or unwanted.


Dear Dog Lady,

We recently put a deposit down on a puppy that is a Pekingese/Pomeranian. She will be eight weeks old two days before Christmas. We have two little girls — ages two and six. I am a stay-at-home mom so the pup will not ever be alone and will constantly be around the two-year-old. A lot of things I have read say that the Pekingese is going to bite my daughter. I am obviously concerned.

My dad did make a point that, since we are getting the puppy so young, she will grow up around the girls and it shouldn't be a problem. Any ideas?

Kara

Dear Kara,
If you read articles suggesting the Pekingese would bite your daughter, why did you decide to bring this variety of dog into your home? You did the right thing by researching but maybe the wrong thing by ignoring the research suggesting this breed of dog might not do well with small children.
Your Dad, however, makes a wise point about the dog growing up with your kids. Because all the creatures will be raised together, this surely will cement the bond and ease the strains. However, please be vigilant and never leave the dog alone with your youngest daughter until you are 100-percent confident they will peacefully co-exist. You must train your child to get along with the dog as surely as you must train the pup to do likewise.

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