Life at Winterpast has slowly returned to normal after Tanner’s surgery. She is feeling better, wagging her tail again, and making sure everyone knows that she is, in fact, the Princess of Winterpast.
But then came a new mystery. One morning, she turned up her nose at her expensive dog food. We thought perhaps she was just having an off day. By dinner, the same thing.
“Hmmm…”
The next morning, she sniffed it again and walked away. That got our attention. Tanner isn’t usually one to skip a meal.
Now, when someone is recovering from surgery, you tend to worry about every little thing. Was she feeling sick? Were the medications upsetting her stomach? Should we call the veterinarian?
HHH decided to try something different. He cooked a chicken breast just for her, and that disappeared in record time. The next day, I added a little shredded cheese.
Gone.
Then I mixed in an egg. The egg and cheese vanished in record time, but the kibble remained exactly as it had been. She just picked around the pieces, taking what she wanted. It was the doggie version of playing with her food. Apparently, our little princess was trying to tell us something, and we simply weren’t fluent in Dog.
Finally, after several days of negotiations, we discovered the answer.
Casers Classic Loaf in sauce, Lamb style. Just like the commercial on television. The one she’s been listening to while recuperating on the couch.
The moment we opened the container, Tanner’s ears perked up. She practically smiled.
She left her bowl spotless.
It seems the princess had spoken.
Our animals communicate with us every single day. They don’t have words, but they have expressions, routines, little nudges, hopeful eyes, and very determined opinions. We simply have to pay attention long enough to understand what they’re trying to say.
I suspect Tanner wasn’t being stubborn at all. She was simply reminding us that communication isn’t always spoken. Sometimes it’s served in a little tray with a picture of a happy dog on the front.
