Monday, December 14, 2009

The Buffet is Closed

Charlie is the most food-oriented dog I've ever known. We try to keep him on the thin side, but even when he manages to plump up a little, he's always starved. Want to trim his nails? Have someone there to hold a treat. Want to get out of the house without a scene? Throw a treat down the hall and step out. Want to get him back in the house? You got it -- stick your head out the door and yell "puppy treats".

Hence he's always viewed the yard as a kind self-serve deli, where he can score some calories. And since his palate can, at best, be called undiscriminating, Charlie's only unsupervised trips to the yard are for doing business. Fortunately, the temptation of a good milkbone or other legal treat has usually brought him running back when done. Until last week.

Foraging

I don't know what it is (I suspect cat poop), but something new and apparently edible became available at the side of the house. He'd go outside, ostensibly to do business, and then make a bee-line for the side yard and start snuffling through the leaves I'd let collect there. Only my going up to him and teasing him and promising a puppy treat would break his concentration and get Charlie back in the house.

I've raked up all those leaves now, and with any luck gotten rid of the doggie delicacies. Assuming the cat plays along too, hopefully the cycle will be broken. Keep your fingers crossed.

Is that a guilty look or what?

 

15 comments:

Moose said...

Sounds like my moose! There used to be some loose dirt that the kitties apparently loved to use and when we would pass it on our walks it was like all u can eat buffet if I did not pull him off!

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

Dogs like the strangest things, don't they? TD loves to check out all those wonderful delicacies too:)

Woos, Phantom and Thunder

Golden Samantha said...

Holy food snarfers! I wanted to do a post like this because Sammie is exactly the same way (could they be related?)!!! I get it completely - she does the very same things Charlie does, only I use the word "cookie" to get her in haha. She usually is searching for cat poop too, but anything will do for her. We try and try to keep her lean, but somehow, she always manages to find something in a bush by the sidewalks or in the park. She's especially good at just knowing there'll be something around picnic tables. Arrrggghhhh! I understand! So funny you did a post on this! Is it only goldens?
Hugs xo
Sammie's mom!

Ms. ~K said...

My pups would live off deer pooh if I'd let them...
~K

Elizabeth Bergesen said...

It's in the Golden blood. My girl will do anything for a nibble!

Elizabeth & Luna

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Was it khatsup?

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Asta said...

OOPs Chawlie
Caught in the act, hehehe

I'm suwe thewe awe legal tweats waiting inside
smoochie kisses
ASTA

Pipa said...

My DOg. Goldens are definitely all the same. Geez.

Anonymous said...
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How Sam Sees It said...

Sam loves it when the cats leave Tootsie rolls in the yard. He is the same way, or at least maybe we are - he can only go out supervised!

Sam

Noah the Airedale said...

I Noah would rather eat the cat than cat poop hehe.

tailwags
Noah x

Sophie Lou said...

Charlie! You got busted! Have to try and be more discreet. ;)

-Sophie

Buster the Wired Fox Terror said...

he is just trying to save you some kibble bucks

Bussie Kissies
Buster

Anonymous said...
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