Scratchings-and-Sniffings

Posted by Animals at 6:03 PM Saturday, June 27, 2009

Scratchings-and-Sniffings

Summertime Puppy Fun in Colorado

Posted: 23 Jun 2009 09:01 AM PDT

Carmie One of the best parts of this visit to Erie, CO (where, as you read this, we are no longer) was watching Koa and Twiggy, the housedogs, play. My daughter was dog-sitting Koa, a mixed breed, and Twiggy, her Greyhound, couldn't have been happier.

To add a bit of background, Twiggy has been a handful. She suffers from separation anxiety and tends to find unacceptable things to do while the folks are out. Over the year of having her, starting from her truly puppy days, Chloe has figured out how to occupy Twiggy's time - leaving treats around the house for her to find, and using a large, hollow bone filled with peanut butter for her to gnaw. Yum!

While those tactics work (the crate thing didn't do it - the less said about the messes in the crate, the better), it seems that Twiggy really likes having a companion.

Koa is about 1/3 her size, and yet, manages to get the best of her now and then. The two of them are like five year old boys - racing around the house, tackling each other, fighting over towels and pillows and toys Miah leaves lying around. It's quite entertaining, actually.Twiggy-Ornery-crop

Koa will be gone, by the time this post publishes. I wonder how Twiggy will take that. Clearly, dogs need that connection to their "pack" and when the Alpha (which would be my daughter) is gone, they lose their bearings. Having another dog around to pass the time with, and to get in trouble with, is a pretty good solution. (ok...Matt, the husband in the picture, went around the house mumbling, "Did I actually approve this?" all week long)

Personally, I think both dogs and cats are happier with companion animals. So, you could have a dog and a cat, or two dogs, or two cats, or even mix and match other pets, as long as you are conscious of how they interact with each other, and never leave them alone for long periods...until Koa1-crop you are thoroughly assured they love each other.

Koa and Twiggy love each other. They don't fight over food (although they do try to steal each other's food), they love the tug-and-war of towels and toys, and they race around the backyard as if they were playing tag. Ah, the fond memories of playing tag all summer, when I was a girl. 

As we consider the options of a new dog at our house, the idea of adopting two dogs is a serious consideration. I'm just not sure how the Wabby will take it. And, you're probably tired of hearing that. But, she's my baby right now and I do not want to do anything that stresses her. 

Perhaps my daughter can set up weekly play dates for Twiggy, with Koa. It certainly seems that Twiggy will be lonely when Koa is gone. And, Koa may wonder where Twiggy is, too.

Dr. Larry - to your assertion that dogs don't think - come watch Twiggy and Koa and some of their antics. Their brainwaves are in overdraft and they ARE thinking. More on that another time. 

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