I have woken up the last few mornings to litter all over my floors. I tend to be a bit of a neat freak and clutter is not something I leave when I go to sleep. I have chalked it up to having children and pets. Today I discovered who the culprit was. I have been finding shredded napkins, fruit snack wrappers, and yogurt containers around the floor in the morning. I figured that my boys weren't cleaning up their mess so the dog was getting a midnight snack. It's happened before (see here).
Today I cleaned up the kitchen, taught the boys (3 and 6) how to load the dishwasher, and wiped off the counters before starting our bedtime routine. When I returned to plunk my bottom on the couch...I discovered a microwaveable dish, a Popsicle wrapper, and a container with ranch from my lunch on the kitchen floor.
Nestled in the center of each of these perfectly cleaned and slimy scraps was my dog. Her eyes were as big as half dollars when she saw me. Her eyes quickly became teardrops as she put them into puppy dog mode. It wasn't going to work this time. The trash was promptly picked up and the pantry door was closed.
What is going on?
Is she having a midlife crisis?
Do dogs have those?
My dog will be 10-years-old in June. She never chewed on shoes as a pup. She never destroyed furniture like Marley in the movie? And she certainly never got into the trash can!
I thought that we made it past the puppy stage. I guess not. I guess that I'll be puppy proofing the house for my ELDERLY DOG! Grrr!
With her puppy behavior, I wonder if I can get her into a puppy training class. Hmmm? Things to consider.
Awww...puppy dog eyes! Sorry to hear about your mess. It's no fun to clean up especially after cleaning up prior to...is she not getting something she's used to getting?
ReplyDeleteLove those eyes, but your story keeps me reality centered when I start to weaken. No dog for me! No dog for me!
ReplyDeleteBonnie
I have a lab right now that loves, loves, loves the trash. Nothing and I mean nothing, will deter her from her intended mission. If she can get to it, it is all over the house. Drives me crazy!
ReplyDeleteOh! Those eyes!
ReplyDeleteMy neighbor is having the same problem with her 12 year old dog. What is going on? Do they need more attention? have nervous tension? revert to childhood--like people? I love dogs, miss having one.
ReplyDeleteWe keep our trash in the bathroom with the door shut because Chloe LOVES finding treasures. The other morning when I went to her kennel, there were two perfectly clean tuna cans nestled beside her....
ReplyDeleteI LOVE dogs, they are as perplexing as children. Sorry for your evening. Your pup could be missing something, or something may have changed and your not aware of it. Our older dog who has since passed started doing this when she got older when she never had. We just started moving the garbage!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth,
ReplyDeleteDoggone this is a cute slice. i love her teardrop puppy dog eyes. Good luck with teaching an old dog new tricks. However, the old dogs come up with new behaviors on their own, without any teaching at all! We have stubborn 12 year old Weimaraner, so I can relate. ~ Theresa