Maybe This Will Work

After a year of carrying the "table-hounds" down the hall to the dog room so Alayne and I could eat our own meals in peace, I finally found the doggie barrier we had used in Montana to keep the dogs out of the dining room and kitchen. A few weeks ago I put it back together and set it up, much to the consternation of the table-hounds. (Now I know why we say things like, "Stop hounding me!")

Blind Sophie, whose begging antics I have chronicled before here and here, immediately thought that this was simply another opportunity to see if sitting up and begging worked. It didn't. Food did not fall from the sky. No hand magically appeared, thrusting food towards her through the gate. In Sophie's world, "food happens." Except when it doesn't.

Alayne and I continued to enjoy our meal uninterrupted.

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$1,000 Weekly Winner Again -- Thank You!

Because of all of your votes, we were the weekly winner for week 3 again in the Shelter Challenge -- and that brought in another $1,000 gift for the animals here!  Thank you so much!

The new Shelter Challenge started October 3rd and ends at midnight on December 18th. Grand prize in this round is $5,000, plus $1,000 for weekly winners and $1,000 for state winners. There are also other categories ... please see the Shelter Challenge website for details.

And remember, you can vote every day, so consider bookmarking the voting page to make it easy.

You can vote in the Shelter Challenge here.

Please note:  Use Rolling Dog Ranch for our name and NH for the state and our listing will come up.  [Yes, we are still listed as Rolling Dog Ranch for the purposes of the contest, not Rolling Dog Farm.]

Please help us win more money for the animals here by voting every day, and by encouraging your family, friends and colleagues to vote every day, too. Thank you!

Comments

[Penny]

Sophie is saying: "Let me out, let me out... I need to see my mom and dad... and a full bowl".

[Lynne Parker]

"In Sophie's world, 'food happens.' Except when it doesn't."

Steve, your posts just crack me up.

[Larry Plutchak]

My bleaf aussie "Dave" is 4 years old now , have been voting for you all that time. Keep up the good work , and say Hi to Spinner for us : ^ )

[Angela]

Sophie is the cutest little MUNCHkin - The S is for sticktuitiveness I guess.

[carol]

I'm eating my granola as I read this and my terrier is repeatedly bringing his ball and dropping it at my feet hoping for a morsel in return for his act of retrieval. I can't imagine a large pack like yours all individually trying to appeal to you for food while you eat. The barrier is a good thing!

[Jan in Winnipeg]

Maybe it's just wishful thinking, but doesn't Sophie look a bit more shapely in the time she's been with you? Our pack of 3 poodles have figured out the human actions signifying the of end a meal. They are relentless in 'reminding' me after this point.
I'm glad to hear that Patti is comfortable and enjoying herself. She has an incredible life at Rolling Dog Ranch/Farm--you have both made such a difference in a life that started out with so much pain.

[Mary H.]

Work it, Miss Sophie! What a cutie!

[Bregda & Boemsie (South Africa)]

That little bit of tongue sticking out still gets me, it's hilarious and so cute!
I was sad to read the news of Patti, but know that you have made an enormous difference to her life, just as she has made to yours (and ours) - such a level of forgiveness is a true lesson to us humans. May you have many more treasured moments with her.

[Carla Polastro-Nigro]

When food "doesn't happen", don't they all start barking or howling?

Our Daphne (who is just "a little bit" spoiled:-)) doesn't stop barking until she gets her cookie before we have lunch or dinner...

[Ann]

Well Sophie is persistent, if nothing else lol! She's just too cute for words!

[Zoe]

Oh, poor dear. How can you resist her charms?

[Linda Murphy]

Boy, do you guys deserve to eat in peace! I love 'food happens'! Looks like the doggie barrier did the trick....now I wonder if that will work with my brood............