October 9, 2010

White Dog and The Other White Dog received new stuffies from Daisy Mae, when their standard poodle friend from southern NM visited last week. The toys are very clever and have containers built into their bellies that can be filled with small treats or kibble. When the toy is flipped or thrown around or dragged the toy releases a treat. These toys were not thrown into the fray during the Pup Balloon Fiesta Party that got a little out of hand in the mistreatment of stuffies.

Quinn is not one to play with toys. The closest he has come so far is to gallop after White Dog during her games of fetch (more to run interference and out of curiosity than the desire to play). He also, if the moon is in the right phase, will stick out a paw to stop a ball rolling directly past him. He does however, interact with food, very favorably. Daisy Mae's gift seemed like it might be just the thing to entice him to explore his inner child through play.

White Dog as a wee pup had a plastic cube that worked similarly...fill it with treats and let the little one turn the cube over and around to release a prize. She figured out the secret in less than 15 minutes and for weeks it was like living in a casino. White Dog would ask Steve to fill the cube. He would set it on the floor and she would WHACK it across the room like dice down the table following after snarfling down kibble. Then she would send it flying the other way down the hall and so on until it was empty. Then she would bat the "empty" back to us requesting a refill.

Seems this is a memory not forgotten by WD for as soon as Steve set down her brown treat toy she was off and running. Quinn watched in amazement. Then he followed behind, at a respectful distance, to see the action up close. In minutes she was sitting on Steve's lap holding the empty bear.

Next, we sent TOWD's blue dog down next to him. He nosed it gently...nothing happened. Steve showed him how to flip it over and pointed out the treat that appeared. He seemed puzzled but tried nosing again. In exasperation, White Dog jumped down and grabbed it. He sat while she did the "kill it" dance, sending kibble flying everywhere. When she finished he calmly walked around and ate the bits covering the floor.

White Dog dropped the toy at his feet. He looked at it. Then he looked at her. Then he sat down to patiently wait. I think the playing thing is still not clicking but I was thrilled that White Dog was trying so hard to share her knowledge as well as the rewards. Progress is after all, progress.