Butch: At Home

Subtle breathing sound    Butch usually charms people wherever we go -- a skill I usually lack. But at home he can be a little insistent about attention. He stands on the floor with his front legs resting on the seat of the chair I'm in, his small tail wags, and he begins that snorting-snarfling sound that he makes by breathing. Those big brown eyes stare intently, and there is no way I can say no (well, hardly ever). Up he comes into my lap, still staring at me intently. I roll him onto his back, cradled in my arms as one does a baby, and I scratch his tummy. He's still staring into my face, but the eyelids begin to droop. Once we're through that routine, he'll curl up on my lap, and rest there until I unseat him. Food-motivated Others have noticed that he's very interested in food and treats. I call dog biscuits "cookies" but have resorted to spelling it around him if I don't intend to immediately provide one. There is nothing as intimidating as those brown eyes zeroed in on you and that small tail working -- not frantically but just fast enough so you get the message. "Cookies" work for a lot of things -- leaving the house but the pet must stay behind, bath time, grooming. He can be very eager to leave the house with me. A cookie comes out. His ears fall in disappointment but he sheepishly accepts it and retires from the door. Crumb checking He hardly ever jumps up onto furniture with me around. But I've caught him a few times when he's forgotten or doesn't know I'm there. He'll inspect every where I've been ­ just to be sure I haven't dropped snack crumbs.

©1999-2000 Dan Farrell Davis