Dog bites dog: Little Boss's version
June 25th 2009 12:01
It was a big morning at the dog park. For a start, Falco was back after a two-month holiday on a farm. How spoiled can a city dog get!
And secondly, Nina and Tiger were there too. These are the only other greyhounds to be seen regularly around our way, and it's such a big treat for Daisy and Scratchy to have other greys to run with.
We have what might be termed, in canine psychology terms, a socialising behavioural issue with Scratchy which means he is normally kept on the lead when other dogs are in the park. What he does is nip. He doesn't bite hard and the behaviour seems more herding instinct than malicious intent, but we can't get him out of the habit. Daisy knows how to control him, but we don't let him play with other dogs.
The owner of Nina and Tiger, however, when she heard this the first time the four dogs were together in the park, suggested we let Scratchy join the fun. Her dogs, she said, could probably take care of themselves.
So that morning, a couple of months ago, Scratchy ran, and Scratchy chased, and Scratchy got close enough to Tiger to nip her. Tiger who is smaller but otherwise a brindle replica of Scratchy, turned and retaliated with speed, vigour and intent. Scratchy fled.
That's why it was special this morning to see Tiger and Nina again. Off came the leads and four greyhounds flew around as only they know how. Scratchy chased Tiger, got close enough, and nipped.
And so history repeated itself. Tiger turned on Scratchy and sank a tooth or two into his nose. Scratchy yelped and turned quickly away. He shook his head but the pain stayed. Then he lowered his head, down past his knees, and walked away to a corner of the park, the most disconsolate creature you have ever seen.
Tiger's owner was apologising profusely as if the blame were somehow on her side, which of course it wasn't. Daisy and Nina were sniggering quietly, then lost interest and wandered off to smell some flowers.
But Tiger was watching Scratchy. And after doing so for a few moments, she walked after him. When she reached him, she lowered her head next to his, and then just stood there quietly with him. We guess she said a few consoling words, but whatever she did the two were inseparable for the rest of the park visit, and Scratchy looked much happier on the way home.
Tomorrow: Daisy's version of the story.
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Comment by Roux
Comment by Chris Champion
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Comment by Roux
Oh, my mom told me that her frist Greyhound, Colt, used to nip and butt people who took him out for his runs while she watched from the sidelines, she didn't know he did that but he'd turn 'em all black and blue, seems he learned that racing, or maybe practicing for races, she didn't know. But I would've taken his nose off, so be warned... Roux, again
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I was a very successful race dog because I worked out early in my track career that the best place to be was at the rear of the field, from where the optimum number of nippable bums is visible, and from where you can best judge a shoulder charge.
The worst place to be, of course, is in front of all the other dogs. No action there!
Humans don't seem to see it that way though. They are such spoil sports.
Comment by Roux
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Comment by Roux
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Comment by Roux