Love Hurts

We had a parakeet for a while when we lived in Ohio. I found it one day beak down in its empty water dish. We have a few theories. Perry either died of dehydration, as evidence strongly suggests, or possibly hypothermia, as our 1940s house had no insulation and was a bit drafty. A third and probable theory is that Perry died from a lack of love.

Our dog, Chanel, on the other hand is sure to die from too much love. We are constantly amazed at the abuse she takes, just to return for more. Hadley and Chloe adore her and have a few nick names for her including Nell, Chin-chin, and baby. They tote her around as if she were their offspring, pushing her into car seats, beds, child-size chairs, strollers and closets. Amazingly, she shows no resistance when they come for her. With one arm under her belly and the other under her neck, they whisk her away. A few weeks back we were all gathered together, but Nellie was not there... quite unusual as she is usually underfoot. Our calls to her elicited no response. Not so much as even a bark. Finally we thought to ask the little girls... and no surprise, they knew just where she was. They had shut her in an empty box.

If any of this were not bad enough, their favorite act of torture is dancing with Nellie. By picking up her front paws they have found she will stagger back and forth at their whim. They also discovered that by picking up her back legs she will play wheel barrel. And yes, I have had to stop them from finding out what happens when you pick both up at the same time. You would think the poor dog would run when she sees the two of them coming, but she doesn't. She knows from whence the good food falls, and plants herself under highchair at meal time.

Though the little girls make Nellie endure a lot, they do show they love that poor dog. They snuggle up on the couch under blankets with her and build her forts out of the cushions. I've witnessed Chloe sharing a drink via a straw out of Nellie's water dish, and Hadley one of Nellie's favorite bathroom spots in the backyard. Everyone has grown very attached. Thankfully hypothermia will not be an issue in Arizona... I have come upon a very dry water bowl though.