For the longest time, we have given Emme and Rudy "dessert" when they finish a meal. We say "There is always room for Jello." Then we take a tiny puppy biscuit, about 3/4 inch long, snap it in half and give one piece to each of the dogs after they sit nicely in front of us.
A few days ago, I asked why we do this. When did we start and why do the dogs get "Jello?" Neither Ken nor I could remember how it got started. It just wound up being a part of the meal routine: they each get a dish of food, piece of cheese with a pill in it, and then "Jello." There is no reason for the dessert. The size of the piece of puppy biscuit they get doesn't constitute any nutritional value; it is far too small. They should be full all ready from the meal they just finished. But now, of course, getting "Jello" is part of the unchangeable routine.
So I decided to stop giving them "Jello." The dogs know that we are doing things wrong. They are incensed that the meal ends without Jello. They watch us to make sure we haven't forgotten something. They do a nice sit in front of the treat jar. They don't like change. Don't we realize that there is always room for Jello?
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1 comment:
I love your posts and how you think these things through.
I am curious though - why did you stop the Jello routine? Because there may be no "need" for it, per se, but gee - is there ever need for fun? Sure there is. Sometimes we do things just for the fun of it.
I think dog enjoy routine because it's another way of communicating with us - even if the routine is not necessary (like Jello).
I do the same thing with Chloe with a treat after the meal. It may be the size of a pinkie finger nail - but it signals "meal done." And "good girl" for finishing what was in her bowl.
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