What the heck is going on?
First my dad goes away for what seems like forever. Then Mom goes away for a couple of days and boards me. Then we both go away for a couple of days. (Much better.) Then Dad comes back. Then Mom goes away for a long time. She comes home. She leaves again. What the ???
I don’t like this. My life is based on routine. And this is seriously messing with my routine. Not to mention the fact that the pack should be together and it isn’t.
But there is a bit of a silver lining here. A chance to change things up.
I’ve been working my dad (who isn’t always clear on mom’s rules about food and treats) and I have to say, it’s been pretty cool. Here’s what I’ve done:
I start bugging him for treats by performing a few of my patented moves. Sometimes I do my pounce. Everyone loves that. Sometimes I just look unbelievably cute. Dad’s a sucker for that. Sometimes I bark incessantly and Dad asks me if I need to go outside. I don’t. I keep barking. Do I need water? No. I keep barking. Then I perform my final and, if I do say so myself, charming move. I walk out to the kitchen and cock my head toward the cupboard that holds my treats. I fix my big green eyes on the cupboard and then I flick them back to Dad, then back to the cupboard.
He gives up and gives me a treat. Sometimes more than one.
I have him in the palm of my paw, as we say in the doggie world.
Let’s face it. I’d rather have a treat than the same boring old food that Mom and Dad give me. Every single day. It’s endless. And once I start getting a lot more treats, I don’t want to eat that stuff anymore. So, I start nosing my dish and push it all over the room. All you can hear is the sound of my metal dog dish sliding around on the wood floor. And my dad gets frustrated because I won’t eat. This goes on for a while. Sometimes he gives me a treat just to see if I’ve totally lost my appetite because he’s worried I might be sick. (Mom does this, too.) And I score another treat!
Then trouble comes. Because he picks up that thing he talks into and calls my mom. And she figures out what’s going on and says (I can hear her through the thing) “Stop giving her treats until she finishes her food. If she doesn’t finish, no treat. You have to be tough. She’s working you.”
Uh oh. Busted.
And suddenly, all the time and effort I’ve put into this whole thing, all the barks, the pounces, the eyes-toward-the-cupboard-move, the dish nosing (I can push it all the way across the room and under the chair,) – all of it is for nothing. The other day, he put the phone on speaker and I heard Mom’s voice. (What? Where is she?) And she said, “Scout, eat your dinner. NO TREATS until you eat your dinner. Eat your dinner.” Yikes. I looked around for her but she wasn’t there. It sort of spooked me. I looked right at the thing Dad was holding. No Mom.
Hmmm.
Anyway. It’s not working now, so I have to eat my food. Or I won’t get any treats. Dang.
Oh, and the other night I went all hyper in the living room and dad couldn’t get me to calm down. He couldn’t figure out what was going on.
So he picked up that thing again and I heard Mom’s voice coming through it. She figured out that Dad had completely forgotten to give me my carrots. The carrots that Mom cuts up for me every night between 5 and 5:30, whenever I can get her butt off the chair and into the kitchen. Or that Dad cuts up for me when Mom asks him to (because she’s too lazy to get up.) I had to dance and pounce and bark like a performing dog in order to get something that I should have had 3 hours earlier.
Cripes.
I miss my mom.
But there is an upside to all of this. Dad takes me on lots of walks and for rides in the car. He’s better at this sort of thing than Mom is. Mom always has something she’s working on. Or she’s blogging. Dad is more fun. We go on lots of adventures.
Though Mom does pounce with me.
I wish these two people would just stay in the same place for a while. I’m not at all happy with this coming and going.
Can you talk some sense into them?
Scout
Dear Scout
My grandson Brent loves carrots too! They are one of his favorite snacks!
But we never thought about giving them to Lily ( the one that sort of looks like you ) or Jugsy ( the big lug of too much silliness and energy )
So, the next time Brent is here having a snack of carrots, I will tell him to go ahead and see if the dogs would like one!
Oh, try it, Debra! I bet they go for it!
xo
Scout
oooh, Scout. I bet your Momma knows your woe.
She does. But she’s far away. I think she misses me, too.
xo
Scout
Hey, Scout, we totally get what you’re saying! Why do humans mess up the schedule sometimes? Any why do they forget the 3:00 treat and give it to you at 4:00 some days? Get with it! We like carrots too! –Arthur and Rhody (English Mastiff and Coonhound)
HI Arthur and Rhody! I’m so glad to hear you guys get it. Humans can be very self-absorbed at times, if you ask me.
xo
Scout
How we love our four-legged Babies!!
Scout is adorable!
I am. I know.
xo
Scout
Scout, you seem like a very smart puppy…just eat your food and the treats will still be coming. Our Molly is the same way. :o)
Do I have to?
xo
Scout
Oh Scout, you so remind me of my girl Rummer! She is all about treats, and quickly gets bored of the same ol’ dog food. You are adorable by the way!
Thank you, Maria Angelique! Tell Rummer that I totally understand.
xo
Scout
Absolutely ADORABLE. XOXO to Scout and Don! Who probably has a real hard time saying No to her when she already misses someone so much. My hunch is somewhere in the back of his tender heart,Don knows but wants to help her feel better? Subconsciously of course! -Judy A-
He does have a hard time saying no, Judy. Lucky for me!
xo
Scout
Okay Scout,
Thanks for revealing all the tricks you use on me.
Now I will be better prepared to avoid being conned!!
But then again, who am I kidding?
I’m just a sucker for those big green eyes.
Don
Whoops! I didn’t know you would read this, Dad!
I’m glad you love my eyes. I love you.
xoxo
Scout
Aw Scout! I know both Mom and Dad want to be home with you also, but they have to work to buy those treats you love so much! Enjoy spending special time with Dad and your Mom will be home before you know it. I know she misses you too!
hugs,
Linda
They have to work???? I should be their top priority!
xo
Scout
Scout – Boy oh boy, do you know the tricks of the trade!! We dogs have to learn what we can do to con our parents out of treats and trips and walks. But, it’s not too hard to do. They look into our beautiful eyes – yours green, mine brown – and just melt. I know you miss your Mom and Dad when they’re gone.
Arf, arf, arf!
Bella
I do, Bella. Glad to know your parents fall for your eyes, too!
xo
Scout
Dear Scout,
I think you are very clever with your tactics for getting treats and I am always on the lookout for new ideas. Don’t forget that your Mom is probably missing you too! Sunday was my birthday and I turned 12 and I had a teeny piece of vanilla cake for a treat because my Mom said that even though it was Mother’s Day, I was the special one! And this morning I let her hug me and cry all over me because my boy who is away at college was taken in an ambulance to the hospital with a broken arm and Mom says he’s too far away to visit. (I know exactly what you mean about the pack separation issues.)Then she said she doesn’t know what she would do without me and I got another treat! If all else fails, put your pretty head down on the ground and look at your Mom with really sad eyes. And remember, keep working on your Dad because Dad’s are always softies with their little girls!
Love, Nellie
Happy Birthday, Nellie! I’m so sorry about your boy’s arm! That must have been hard for your mom – I bet she wanted to go to him. I know you did your job and comforted her. I do that for my mom, too.
Good tip about the head down on the ground and sad eyes. Riley was really great at that. I miss him, too.
xo
Scout
Poor bay Scoutie!
Hi Julie! I have to tell you that I’m a Girl with a capital G! When Mom and Dad first saw me at a dog adoption event, my dad got on his knees and said, “She’s such a girl!” He fell for me right then and there.
xo
Scout
Love this … maybe Scout should start blogging, too.
Mom won’t let me start a blog. She says she has enough to do already. But I’ll sneak a post in here when I can.
xo
Scout
Oh Scout, you friend Charlie in The Netherlands says hi and she wants you to know that she is jealous of your great tactics. She wonders if you give workshops. She is an old doggie herself, because she is 13 and a half, but thinks she might be able to learn some new tricks.
Charlie says WOOF !!
I’m 14, Charlie, so you and I have a lot in common. Workshops….hmmm. I could earn some extra money.
For more treats!!!
xo
Scout
Oh Claudia…you better do something quick! Scout…keep up with the antics…they make for a great read! ;)
I plan to, Donna. I have a lot more up my sleeve.
xo
Scout
Scout, you are doing a fine job of manipulating your parents. We always take advantage of the times Dad is in charge. For some reason even though we’ve lived with him the same amount of time as Mom, he just seems to get confused when she’s not around. Now, go hide that talking thing so he can’t ask her questions and you will continue to get those treats just out of confusion. WE don’t get carrots! Wonder if we would like them? Panda and Sadie, from The Boston Lady’s place.
Same thing with my dad! Hiding the talking thing is a great idea! Thanks, Panda and Sadie.
Tell your mom to give you some carrots.
xo
Scout
Hi Scout..You are such a smart girl..and beautiful too..You had better take advantage of Dad while he is still in charge..Mom will be coming home soon!! Hugs..
I will, Nancy. Mom comes home in less than two weeks and then the jig will be up!
xo
Scout
Oh, Scout, you are a clever pup! Keep working dad with those eyes, you know you’re irresistible!
I am. Mom has a hard time resisting me, too. But dads are pretty susceptible to daughters….
xo
Scout
Oh, Scout, you poor baby. Mommy will be home soon and then you will have the best of both world’s. Daddy for walks ( and treats) and mommy for regular scheduled meals. I know it is tough to understand sweet girl, but someone has to bring home the bacon.
Bacon??? I’d like some bacon!
xo
Scout
Hi Scout,
I moved in with my forever mom and dad in January 2012. I was really cold ( winter in Michigan, brr) and I was hungry and they tried really hard to find out where I came from. They even took me to every vet in the area to see if they recognized me!
I think I hit the jackpot! Dad takes me for rides all the time. We go to the park and take long walks and just like your dad my dad doles out treats every time I look cute. Which by the way is all the time. When I first moved in I had to sleep on a cushy bed on the floor that they bought especially for me. Now I get to curl up on the couch anytime I want. We have a little cat that just loves me, we give each other kisses all the time. We have three other cats that tolerate me but they don’t kiss me. We also have a cockatiel that I hear flew in 24 years ago, he’s the oldest of the furry/feathery kids. Mom and dad welcomed me into their family and I’m loving it.
Aren’t mom and dads great?
Chumly
Dear Chumly,
You are very lucky to have found your forever home. My parents rescued me, too. You have a lot of animal friends there! I miss my buddy, Riley. It’s strange without him here.
But I get lots of loving!
Thanks for writing, Chumly!
xo
Scout
Scoutie, it is your cousin Max. I wish your Mom would come down here, I love her!!!!! I give her tons of hugs and let her pet my belly every morning when she visits. Right now my Mom is mad at me because I went outside while the door was open, Dad came home and I was in the garage. I never do stuff like that, Mom is very, very mad she keeps scrunching up her face in a big frown when she looks at me.
XO,
Max
Uh oh, Max! I’ve been in trouble for that before. Once Riley wandered off when Mom and Dad weren’t looking and ended up stranded in the culvert!!! I bet Aunt Meredith was mad at you! My mom would have been. But she’s only mad because she got scared. She doesn’t want anything to happen to you.
Hang in there, cousin. She’ll come around.
xo
Scout
Miss Scout, you are one very smart gal! Love this guest post, it’s made me laugh this evening when things have not been going too well today. Now I feel like I know you even better – mom has been keeping secrets!
Love, Mary
I am smart, Mary. I’m a border collie, you know, and border collies are smart! I hope your day gets better.
xo
Scout
Poor Scout, not only are you missing your people you need to tell them what to do for you.
I am sure things will get better soon.
Oh, BTW Scout…you could teach the Boo a thing or two about tricks.
Jen
Isn’t Boo a cat??? I bark at the cats next door – I don’t understand them. All I know is they aren’t dogs!
Yes, Jen, I have to herd my parents all the time!
xo
Scout
Dear Scout ~ We love carrots too!!! Raw or cooked!
We have found that barking doesn’t get us any treats – well, Dad is a pushover – but Mom is all about good manners! Toby twirls in circles…I stand and pounce up and down on my front feet (and believe me, these feats are tough to do for us short little guys – we are Dachshunds – Toby is a black and tan and I am a fine looking red ) – recently I hurt my left shoulder, so I had to go on some pain meds for a few days – I hurt so bad – Mom wrapped me up in a heating pad – mmm, that felt so good. I am better now – and like you, I LOVE pouncing and playing tag…sometime a little too much…that is how I hurt myself.
We don’t go for many car rides – I don’t like them – but Toby does – he pretty much likes everything – especially chasing the squirrels and birds that dare to come in our back yard.
Hang in there Scout – I know your Mama will be home soon – we love our routine too – and sit in the front hall waiting every day for our Mom and Dad to get home – we too like it when everyone is in their place.
Your friend,
Dexter Lee
I hope you’re feeling better Dexter Lee. Pouncing is fun, isn’t it? Sometimes Mom does this little movement and says “Pounce” and I get excited and pounce. Then she does it again. And I pounce again! I like it. Say hello to Toby for me.
xo
Scout
Oh Scout, you are so cute! And good going with fooling your dad. I’ll bet you anything your my misses her routine with you, too. Hang in there, sweet girl.
I hope she comes home soon! I miss her and I don’t understand where she is.
xo
Scout
Dear Scout, your mamma and papa’ love you very much! …. I may have to send them some good dog treats recipes.
Woof Woof Rita
Woof Woof right back at you, Rita! New Treats? Yummy!
xo
Scout
Oh, Scout, you are just too smart! Please don’t tell Katie Belle these treat coaxing tricks. I don’t think she’s even figured out that her treat jar just holds more of her special bladder stone blocking dry food she gets in her dinner bowl. Somehow they taste better to her than what’s in her bowl. One thing I do know, Scout, is that your mama would so much rather be with you than even with all the nice people she’s with right now. Keep blogging, Scout, you’re very good at it and totally photogenic!
Oh, Dewena, I have to eat that same kind of food because I had to have surgery several years ago for bladder stones. I was pretty sick at the time. Mom saved the stones (yuck) because she worked for a Vet at the time and they gave them to her. Sometimes when mom runs out of treats, she gives me a handful of that food. They didn’t give me any treats for years but now that I’m 14, they say I should have a little fun.
xo
Scout
Scout,
We know just what you mean. We only get treats when Lovey returns from a trip in the car! She doesn’t go out very often and no matter how cute we are; we get loves, hugs and belly rubs—no extra treats. Don’t get me wrong, we live the live of Riley; but the treats are pretty far between. Hang in there, luv. Your Mom missing you something terrible. Paw to Paw.
Leo and Seraphena
Mom and Dad sort of spoil me now that I’m 14. I think I deserve it! Thanks for writing, Leo and Seraphena!
xo
Scout
Dear Scoutie..So sorry your life is all messed up but you have to know that they do love you and really would rather be home with you..You’ll all be together soon..
Hi Scout, I would have written before but my MY MOM AND DAD were in LONDON ENGLAND for five days and I stayed with my auntie and cousins (I call them my sisters now cause we’ve become even more bonded). My auntie REFUSED to give me people food or my milkies but did give me treats. One day she had the nerve to eat a MEATBALL SUB RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. I sat as close to her as I could get and she said her leg was getting really warm. I tried mental telepathy, looking cute, smiling, everything I could think of, but she refused to share. For the love of all that is good and holy, I tried to get across to her, give me a meatball…I know what they are; I get them all the time…..Pleeeze, oh pleeeze give me a meatball…..No. Meatball. for. me. I was so happy when mom and dad came home, and when I got back to the house, there was dog food mixed with beef stew for me AND milk for dessert! I barely missed my “sisters”, I was so glad to be home with my mom and dad and things back to normal!
OOPS…I forgot to sign off
Love,
Miss Bella