While the title sounds like a new food on a stick at the State Fair, I’m actually talking about Booker’s oral needs. He loves to carry found objects in his mouth when we go on walks. For awhile he was wrapping the leash around his nose and then holding the slack in his mouth. This was cute until we realized he was gnawing through the mesh and actually freeing himself. Now that we’re on to that little ruse, we keep his leash out of his mouth. To compensate, Booker likes to scoop up whatever he finds along the road or trail and brings it along. He lifts his head and proudly struts along with a droopy fast food bag hanging out of his mouth, or it might be a candy wrapper or Kleenex or fill in the blank. Unfortunately there is no shortage of discarded garbage around.
For reasons I can’t fathom today it was a pig’s ear. Booker likes pig’s ears and we buy them at pet food stores as a treat. This particular ear looked like it had been buried awhile, and was confirmed by Booker’s dirt encrusted front paws. (I now know another excavation pit exists somewhere in our yard.) He didn’t even drop the ear as I put his leash on or as he rubbed up against me in excitement. “Really?” I said. “You’re going to bring that disgusting thing along?” He wagged his tail and his eyes were bright. “Okay.”
We headed up the road and Booker carried his ear with a bit of purposeful swagger. Twice he swerved away from driveways that have known dogs just in case there might be some pig’s ear lust involved. Shortly before we stopped to turn back, Booker put his pig’s ear down on the road and gave it one last lick. I waited to see if he would snatch it up once we started walking again, but no, he left it behind. Maybe it was some sacred dog ritual involving sacrifice. Maybe his jaw was tired, or he realized the pig’s ear really was less than savory. Maybe he was hoping I’d carry it for awhile. I don’t know, and he wasn’t talking. But I will say the joy on his face as we walked home was priceless, and it was the best part of my day.
Mercy Belay says
I have to express some thanks to the writer for rescuing me from this predicament. After exploring through the world-wide-web and coming across solutions that were not productive, I figured my entire life was over. Existing without the approaches to the difficulties you have solved by means of your entire guideline is a critical case, as well as those which could have badly damaged my entire career if I hadn’t encountered your blog. Your own ability and kindness in handling every aspect was very helpful. I don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t encountered such a stuff like this. I’m able to at this time look ahead to my future. Thanks a lot so much for this skilled and amazing guide. I will not hesitate to endorse the blog to anybody who requires guidelines on this area.