Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Advice needed on Dogs & Chicago

Two totally unrelated things that are on my mind and I could use some help with….

    First, we are going to Chicago in next month with Art’s mom to visit his sister. His mom is getting up there in years and doesn’t want to take the trip alone, so we are going along. We are going a few days after my birthday, so I am choosing to call the trip a birthday present, even though Chicago isn’t real high on my wish list of places that I would like to visit. (no offense meant to those that love the windy city)

     Anywho- my question is this. Have you been there? Do you live there or near there? Have you wanted to go? What is it that I should pack into our 4 days? You know, the things we just can’t miss?

     So far, I am really excited that we are staying in Oak Park. For you architecture buffs, you may know that it is the city that was pretty much built by Frank Lloyd Wright. That is my favorite period of architecture and design and I can’t wait to stroll around town.

Any thoughts about Chicago?

      The next issue is Murphy Grace. He seems to think that he is a cat or something and keeps bringing me presents. The only problem is that these presents are other animals, some deceased and some not quite deceased.

     I kid you not, I spent half an hour the other day chasing a gopher around my master bedroom and it wasn’t long ago that I was chasing a quail around the living room. Then there are times that his new toys are well, there is no great way to put this, they are dead. He just drops them at my feet like a gift.

     Don’t get me wrong, I love nature and I think that it is great that he is making friends. I just don’t want them in my house and the dead ones don’t smell so great.

     Have you ever dealt with this? Any behavioral modification advice? At first, I would take the things away and give him a treat that was more fitting, but I think that has encouraged the behavior. Bad idea.

 

Thanks in advance and I hope you forgive that there aren’t pictures in this post. EWWW! You don’t want to see what he brings me.

 

12 comments:

Jane said...

I really wish I could help you out but I'm afraid I don't have any good advice on either subject. I have only been to Chicago a couple of times and it was always for a business trip so not much done in the way of sightseeing....as far as the "gifts" that Murphy Grace keeps bringing you.....I hate to admit that I was chuckling when I read your post and I'm sure it was not funny chasing a gopher around your master bedroom and a quail around your living room...but it did but a paint a funny picture. I'm sorry I don't have any advice there either. I know I'm not much help but I wanted you to know I feel your pain.

Coloradolady said...

Gwen thanks for stopping by. Now about that soap, I have sensitive skin myself and it has not bothered me at all. It is natural and does not have any additives that are harmful. I read on line that the Fels Naptha is good for bathing dogs and cats, keeps fleas and ticks off animals. So I am thinking it must be pretty safe...so far so good.

wilsongirl said...

They are gifts. I don't know, though, how to discourage his lavishing you with such gifts.

Actually, you may want to ask him if he's part cat, since bringing gifts seems to be more feline than canine behavior.

Sue said...

OMG I can't believe he is bringing you gifts. Dogs just don't do that! LOL The sight of you chasing creatures throughout the house is a familiar one for me. Only I was getting birds and squirrels coming down my broken chimney cap and into the fireplace. In order to get them out of the house and not pay $100 to the critter control guy- I had to give them a little free reign until I could shoo them out. The neighbors saw strange things coming out my front door quite often. Picture a wild. arm waving, crazy looking woman with a broom....
I have no idea why Murphy is doing this. Have you talked to your vet/shrink? ha ha
Hope you find things to do while in Chi-town. I just spent my day downtown, as it was a quick wedding trip. You'll have more time so make the most of it, I'm sure you will have a good time.
:-) Sue

J Rodney said...

I have never been to Chicago, but I sure hope you have an awesome time. I bet is is going to be quite a change from California.

Anonymous said...

I wanna go to Chicago. I've never been, but I've heard from friends that it's a blast.

Your dog loves you. I'm not sure what else to say. How did he get into the house with the gopher? I must know.

Anonymous said...

I have never been to chicago. Love the new banner.

Dawn said...

I must have missed the quail post!

I'm no dog shrink but I do watch the dog whisperer. (sounds like holiday inn express commercial!) He had an episode with John Grogan, the author of Marley and Me. His female lab was attacking the pet chickens and other small animals. Cesar made the dog submit to the chicken, and I think a rabbit. Now all you have to do is get a gopher, or other small wild animal, keep it calm, and make Murphy submit.....please video it, I want to see how it goes...what is the disclaimer at the end of that show... Please consult a professional...!

All I really know is a tired dog is a good dog. Sunny would fetch all day till my arm fell off but I get tired of it. I've got a bad ankle so I don't do a lot of walking. We tried the treadmill like Ceasar said. Sunny LOVES it. Oreo does too. They acutally whine when it's not their turn and will try to kock each other off so I have to put one outside the door.

Good luck!
Dawn

Farmgirl Paints said...

No advice from the dog thing. Look up Caesar Milan...the Dog Whisperer. Maybe he has a site that would address that behavior.

I grew up in Illinois and have been to Chicago many times. It's a great city with lots to do. You will have a ball:)

Stopping by from SITS. Hope you have a great weekend.

Pauline Wiles said...

I would like to visit Chicago but regret until then, my advice would be purely fictional.

My only thoughts on Murphy's gifting, is that our lab used to love to bring us things, especially when we got home. Basically he would pick up whatever was around the house and bring that (discarded socks which didn't make the laundry were a favorite). I trust there are some non-animal bits and pieces lying around that you could act very thrilled to receive?

I have to agree, that trading the gifts for another treat might be understood as reward. That does sound very awkward if he's bringing you 2 and 4-legged presents.

Dawn said...

Ha ha, I deserved that! Actually I KNOW I could roll that dog into a duffle bag. His legs are really short and he just lays there. Carrying him out would be hard because I imagine he's pertty heavy and Sandi would have her eye on me!

Have a great and wild critter free weekend!
Dawn

Sedona @ MyDivineDelights said...

Hi Gwen, I've got nothin' for you on Chicago, but our weimeraner used to bring presents! Big snakes, rats, opossums...you get the point! I think it's a hunting dog thing. They are bred to be people pleasers. MAYBE if you could have a special toy(kind of like a drug dog when if finds drugs) that you play with him when he comes inside. Get him to attach bring that to you as getting a big reward, which is what he's wanting...just like a hunting dog gets when it brings in the prey. Good luck!!!

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