Our little blind dog Goldie -- she's one of our original 'six-pack' of dogs from when we lived in Seattle -- has a case of obsessive compulsive disorder ... and a nose that feeds her disorder!
She is absolutely obsessed with soft toys and wants to rip the stuffing out to get to the squeaker. Somehow she can always tell if there is anything soft and fabric-like in a box or bag, even when it's sitting on the kitchen counter, the washing machine, or in this case, a stool. Goldie can't be fooled (we've tried). Anything with fabric has the potential for being a new soft toy with a squeaker. She's determined to find out for herself.
She ignores all packages with anything hard in them. But her nose tells her whenever a box has something in it with fabric. And she always wants something NEW, thank you very much.
On Friday the UPS driver brought this box which has a new horse blanket in it. At first we put the box on the washing machine, and Goldie spent hours in the laundry room staring at it (remember, she can't see but she knew where it was), barking at it, imploring us to let her at it. This weekend we moved the box into the hallway, placing it on the stool while we did some laundry. Minutes later we heard the sound of cardboard shredding.
And there she was, busy like a beaver chewing a hole in the corner of the box.
Promptly caught on camera, the second photo shows Goldie with her classic "What are you looking at me for? I wasn't doing anything!" expression.
But the third photo shows the evidence ... the start of a nice hole and the tempting target inside.
This little dog is also one of the smartest animals we've ever known. She's figured out how to open zippers to get inside backpacks and suitcases (good source of soft things!). In Seattle we had bi-fold closet doors -- the kind you push on and they open inwards -- and to our dismay one day discovered that Goldie learned how to use her paws to push the doors open.
We'll even try to mollify her by giving her an old soft toy to divert her attention away from a newly arrived package. "Here, Goldie, try this!" But she'll drop the toy and resume staring at the box ... which is usually placed out of reach, for good reason!
(Click on photos for larger image.)
We have a dog that thinks every package is for him. Whenever the UPS or FEDX person stops their truck anywhere near our house he goes nuts! When a package actually comes into the house, by mail or by delivery, he will not rest until the package is on the floor and being opened. And then of course, he wants to have everything inside the package. This is especially time-consuming at Christmas time - and of course, wrapped gifts under the tree are always at risk.
Posted by: Fred & Loretta | January 23, 2006 at 09:46 PM
Amazing! Now if you can figure out how to put this talent to good use!
Posted by: Karen/ TX | January 23, 2006 at 01:00 PM