A Dog And His Bone.

A love affair that never wanes.

We try and make little Maxi's life exciting and special wherever we can. God knows, he's had a lot to bear in his almost 13 years. Whereas some would have taken him to a final visit to the vet, citing his old age, we would rather make the rest of his life ( long or short ) full of fun, treats and love.

Well, that's where the bone comes in. Firstly, him being part of the canine pensioner's club means a slight adjustment to bodily functions and their timing. Yes, bladders get weaker and loo sessions more frequent...depending on what is eaten and when. Oh yes, we've had the odd surprise find in the morning! Even bones have to be calculated into his toilet schedule.

Anyway, yesterday after lunch I gave him one of those dental-cleaning bones. Can't imagine that it taste anything other than toothpasty, but surprisingly, these bones seem to be the dog's biscuit. 

He has a method. Once I give him his bone, he sniffs at it then takes a few preliminary chews only to drop it about a half meter from his head. Usually in the middle of our path between lounge and kitchen, daring either of us to try and touch it. Gosh, such a small thing can get quite angry when he thinks we might be close enough to also have a chew. Angry growls galore, which then prompt him to take his bone to his basket in order to bury it under his pillow where we can't see or find it!!!

So, about an hour into his idolizing of the bone, I called him to go for his afternoon constitutional. Clearly he needed to go outside because he jumped up and started to run towards me but then all of a sudden he stopped and turned his head towards where he had dropped his bone. I could almost read his mind; will the bone be safe here or should I take it with me?

Honestly, he took a minute to decide and then when we were on the road he kept on stopping, wanting to go back home. All thoughts of toilet business clearly gone from his mind...but not from mine. No more morning surprises for me. The whole walk turned into a mini duel between us. He putting on all four brakes and me trying to drag him along. Talk about a one tracked mind. The minute we were back home he sprinted towards his long lost bone and was overjoyed to it still being there....who knows, one day Mausi might surprise us all and take charge of the bone.

Life with a cats and a dog is fabulous and never dull. Animals, the same as us, have oodles of character and personality. Love it.

P/S: When Bob came home he advised me that it might be safer to take Maxi's bone away ( half eaten by then ) because it might affect the timing of his having to do a business. And yes, I dared the lion's den by distracting him and hid the bone for the next day. Felt quite bad when he searched high and low for the next hour...

Biggi