May 14, 2003
Dem bones, dem bones, dem raw bones...
6:00 p.m.
I bought Dusty so bones at the pet store today, while I was there getting more dog food (today is a big spending week for dog stuff). The bones were actually very reasonable: six dollars for a big bag.
I gave Dusty her first bone ever in the late afternoon, when we had finished our walk. Instead of cleaning her feet like I usually do, I layed the green towel on the floor and put her in a down-stay. Then I gave her the bone.
Dusty sniffed the bone. She stood up and walked around the bone, completely absorbed in it. She licked it tentatively, then she looked at me. The look said: "Holy smoke! Are you sure? This is for *me*? I'm allowed to chew on this wonderful, smelly, heavenly object?" I nodded and told her to go ahead.
At first, she just licked it. After a little while, she started to dig in a bit more. Finally, she was laying on the floor, her whole being absorbed in the joy of this bone. I told her to keep it on the towel and for the most part, she did.
Every so often, Dusty would look up and gaze at me for a long moment. The look said "Thank-you! Thank-you! Oh, thank-you!"