Waiting For My Treat
This is one odd-looking dog, wouldn't you say? I took this photo tonight of Travis when I was putting the dogs up at Widget's House. He was waiting for his treat. Part of our bedtime routine is that everyone gets a cookie when they go into their crates for the night. The problem is that Travis has a fused jaw, so he can't open his mouth to eat a cookie. We go down the line of crates, handing out a cookie to each dog in turn, but have to skip Travis. So Travis now gets his own special good-night treat. We have a squeeze tube, the kind backpackers use for things like peanut butter. It's stuffed with canned dog food, and at bedtime I squirt a dollop into the corner of Travis' mouth -- this is the one place he can get his tongue out between his upper and lower jaw -- and he licks it up.
Getting it in requires some hand-and-mouth coordination between man and dog. I hold up his lip with one hand, wait for the tongue to come poking out between his teeth, then with my other hand quickly lay a ribbon of the food on his tongue before it disappears back inside his mouth. As soon as I finish squeezing out the treat, I drop his upper lip so it can help hold the food in place while his tongue works it into his mouth. (I bet that's more than you wanted to know.) In any case, it takes only a few seconds if done right. If Travis and I misfire, the dollop ends up on the crate bedding and we start over.
I LOVE THIS DOG , watching him put his entire head in a bucket of water (His entire head) and literally suck it in, amazed me. he is full of life and his smile pulls every heart string.
Posted by: kim | September 26, 2006 at 11:54 PM
Nope, Steve...thats no odd lookin' dog, why I think hes positively Bee-utiful! Much better lookin' than some PEOPLE I've passed on the street. Hee-hee! Travis' beauty is in his spirit, his sweet li'l soul and those striking blue eyes. I adore every picture of him, he melts my heart. And I just LOVE that you make him feel so much like "one of the gang" by including him in the evening treat, and yet, so SPECIAL, by giving him such a thoughtful and wonderful concoction. Hes such a Lucky and Handsome Boy!
Posted by: Barbara Arenal | September 26, 2006 at 03:02 PM
That's a cute photo of Travis! It's great that you've worked out a way for him to have his bedtime "nightcap". Great story & you explained it so well! I'm not sure that I could. It just goes to show how much love & care you give to your charges. Thank you so very much for all the love you give.
Tobias & ginger
Posted by: ginger & Tobias (the greythound) | September 26, 2006 at 12:55 PM
When I read today's blog, I couldn't help but think how much Travis is loved....he still gets his treat but it is given in a different texture suited just for him. Your ranch is amazing!! Great photo of a cute dog!
Posted by: Nina | September 26, 2006 at 12:11 PM
I thought I had it rough with putting pills down a foster's throat. You are great people, Travis is one lucky pooch to have gotten to Rolling Dog!
Posted by: Linda Lee Balkin | September 26, 2006 at 11:06 AM
No, not too much info. Nice to know how these things work. Also nice to know you care enough to make sure he gets a treat just like everybody else. He has to go through life with a nasty handicap, so he sure deserves some extras. Bravo.
Posted by: Miranda | September 26, 2006 at 10:10 AM
Travis simply warms my heart everytime I see him! When he's happy he smiles, when he's treatless he gives the stink eye. He's quite a character and to think....he wouldn't be alive if it weren't for you!
Posted by: Leilani | September 26, 2006 at 07:42 AM
Of course Travis has to have his treat, too. He's a sweetheart.
Posted by: Roz | September 26, 2006 at 06:28 AM