This Morning in Dogs

[summer_jackel]

1. The housefoxes' newest toy is this stuffed bone with a rope through it, knotted on either side. This morning, I found the thing on the deck with the knots untied. Any normal dog would use this toy to tug or chew on. My dog? Likes to figure out how to untie knots.

2. I planted stinging nettles a few weeks ago for a number of reasons: nettle greens, attractive native plant, a certain perverse amusement in deliberately nurturing vegetation that bites, (strange and unusual!) and the hope that they might be useful in training dogs and cats...of which you may have noted I host several...to stay out of the planters.

While brusing my teeth, I look out the window and notice Jezzie sniffing the nettles. I wince as she licks them and pulls back with a funny expression on her face, but assume with some satisfaction that they worked. At least until she starts licking and nosing at them again.

At that point I call her off and just assume what I already knew, namely, that my pets are all just weird.

Comments

[dhlawrence.livejournal.com]

Hope those don't cause her tongue to swell!

I'm suddenly reminded of an episode of The Simpsons... *bzzt* Ow! *bzzt* Ow! *bzzt* Ow!

[troubleagain.livejournal.com]

1. I think your dogs have been spending too much time with your parrots. :D

My Ladybug used to user her teeth in the most delicate manner--she'd use them like a seam-ripper to open up just the seam of her dog toys, and extract the stuffing. She'd spend an hour doing nothing but that.

2. Yeah. Weird. Unless maybe the nettles don't work on dogs like they do on people.

[oldewolfe.livejournal.com]

I'll point to This Post as an example of how smart canines can be.

Fear for your tack!

[kynekh-amagire.livejournal.com]

I'm sure we'd know normal if we saw it. Wouldn't we?

[skorzy.livejournal.com]

Don't stinging nettles leave microscopic needles in your skin? Wouldn't this be problematic to a pet that has these in their nose? I have no idea if these needles can be removed by simply rubbing the area.

I have experienced nettle stings before as a child, and I don't recall enjoying it. :)

[cphoenix.livejournal.com]

This comic makes it clear: Jezzie is a scientist.

Chris

[wastedmouthfull.livejournal.com]

When My mom first started surveying in Washington state, one of the guys pointed to a plant of stinging nettle and said that makes great TP... luckily she did not fall for it.
In the NW Sword ferns grow near the nettle, and if you rub the curly tops on the place you got stung it would lessen the sting.
it works.