Bud dug up an ancient piece of rawhide in the yard (from Frieda, no doubt, or Lenore) and was chewing on it. The rawhide was thin and small but it got stuck on the roof of Bud’s mouth. He wasn’t choking on it, it didn’t block the airwave, at least not then, but he couldn’t get it unstuck and there was a wheezing in his breath that caught my attention.
Fate came rushing over to him and he opened his mouth for her, she put her head inside.
I have never seen her do that to him, or can imagine him permitting it. I saw her reach her nose up towards the roof of Bud’s mouth (this photo was taken just before that) and try to pull the rawhide off out. At first, I thought she was trying to steal it from him, but that made no sense.
Fate has never reached into Bud or Red’s mouth to take food a way, and neither would ever put up with it. Bud, who was nearly starved to death, is very possessive of his food.
Fate and Bud play all day, but I’ve never seen her put her mouth into his mouth.
I can’t say I know for sure what was happening, but it seemed to me that Fate was trying to help Bud, he was a bit agitated. I didn’t see the signals or hear sounds he was making, but there was a signal that he needed help, and Fate responded immediately.
She was clearly trying to get the old rawhide – I had no idea it was out there – out of his mouth, and he was letting her help.
She had loosened the rawhide, but I reached in and pulled it out. Dogs never fail to surprise and amaze me, they keep me humble and alert. I think it was the sound Bud was making that alerted me and Fate to his discomfort. I think Fate was trying to rescue Bud.
Rawhide treats are dog killers…I have seen this before…no advice here, just sayin’.
Yes, I am well aware of the rawhide warnings Sally, as I said, these were buried in the back yard. We don’t do warnings here, there are plenty of sites for that. My dogs are well cared for and we are well informed as to the many dangers people tell us about every day and most hours. I don’t wish to live in that world, life happens, no dog lives in a bubble..Without rawhides, there are thousand things out there Bud can dig up and find our choke on. Saying you’re not given advice when you clearly are is not effective…
I think that Fate was indeed trying to help. It’s amazing, isn’t it? Dogs are so damn smart.
I think Fate is the smartest dog I have known..
Rawhide buried gets soft and slimy, probably how it got stuck. I always thought it would break down into the dirt, guess that takes a while!
Dogs are fascinating, thanks for sharing!
Bud and Fate are always digging up rawhide that is years old..Frieda and Lenore used to bury it…
Animals helping animals is a treasured thing to witness, in real-time or any way we can experience it. Thanks for sharing.
Farm dogs find the darndest things. The vet once asked me of my dog “What does she eat?” Not “What do you feed her?” The answer, of course: “Mostly gophers and horse poop.” The vet looked at my Pekingese Chihuahua cross and said “You’re living the big dog life!”
Great message, Cara…
I had a near tragic episode with one of my dogs. He tried to swallow a rawhide strip whole. Fortunately, my husband was able to grab the end and pull it out.!
Defensive much, Jon? Good grief, anyone reading her comment would take it as intended other than you. For someone who says he is open and learning, the more I read you, the more I think you are the opposite. I’ve been reading for ten years or so and have enjoyed much of what you write, but it is getting difficult to understand your intent when someone in any way challenges your view. You come back with ferocity that in this case seems a bit overdone.
But, as you also say, I can spend time elsewhere which I do, but I just do not see you holding up your own ideals of openness and honesty. You seem to get uptight when there is a challenge to how you see yourself or the world. And then turn about and call for rational discussion.
Doubt this comment will be posted, but Jon I wish you no animus and quite like reading your writing. Not saying you are crazy, but your response to her comment was a bit overdone.
Michael, I never quite understand people like you and the messages you send, I can’t imagine sending them to anyone. I see you have no real experience with me or with ferocity. If my message is ferocious, you live in a bathtub. My wish for you Michael, is that you go and find a writer you like and find something better to do than count the pronouns of a stranger on a blog. Why on earth would you read someone you feel is both dishonest and false? Perhaps you just get off on writing snarky messages to people, a lot of people do. I can’t quite imagine. Talk about hubris: do you really think your message is too terrifying for me to post. That is true ego. Best to you.
Michael Penney – if you do not like what Jon Katz writes or how he responds to a comment, rather than spew your wrath on him please delete his blog from your reading material and find someone to read who nourishes your good side. There is goodness in all of us as well as the opposite. Whatever we feed more becomes stronger. Feed your goodness.
Nicely put, Rose, that was well put, I love the idea of nourishing the good side, which I failed to do in this case. I sincerely apologize to Michael and my other readers for taking the bait and wasting good time and energy on such pettiness. It is not worth a keystroke. My fault, I am sorry Social media is a challenge to my spirituality and common sense and idea of goodness. Rose, you remind me that this kind of thing gives us the opportunity to be better, and I missed it. I thank you for reminding me.