Dream a little dream of me ...

Do dogs dream?

I seem to think so.  Over the years, I've seen my pack - most twitch,  some whine, others bark, while the more active ones make galloping motions and all that while they are horizontal (usually on their sides) with their eyes closed.

It's all quite interesting.  And the good Vet seems to agree - when he was at Dog Woods this afternoon.

It's always been a better option for the good doctor to pop by than yours truly having to struggle to drive with four gregarious, mischevious pups and one highly strung Belgian Malinois.  Believe you me it's quite a job hauling FIVE heavy reluctant pups into the car and out again ... and it doesn't help the four Dobiehound pups have an aversion for car rides.

Speaking about aversions or phobias of ... once upon a time ago, when the Dobie-hound pups were younger I discovered they all had an innate phobia of leashes and collars.  Am not sure where that came from ... but it could be that they were allowed to roam unleashed and collar-less as wee pups.   I simply had to dangle a chain or leash across their back and suddenly they are immobilize.  It was all rather amusing.  They were perfect sitting statues!

Now that they are bigger and have overcome that particular fear, the three - Dexter, Tubby and Brandi, are real hooligans - esp. when they find a weakness in the fence and decide to go about exploring usually returning home - usually, with one side of someone's shoe!  Obviously shoes that don't belong to the humans of Dog Woods!! (Bad dogs, baaaad dogs!!)  I've seen an assortment women's heels, loafers, sneakers, slippers strewn across the front lawn which I can only guess come from one of the neighbours ...( which is a good thing we don't have too many!)

While am just as puzzled as the victim who's missing one side of his or her shoes as to where the other side has come from (or disappeared to), I usually end up feeling quite guilty ... Am not even sure whom to apologize or make up to.  While I make it clear with the Furkids that I don't approve of their nocturnal explorations and leathery finds.  I think they understand my disapproval well else why would they skulk away sheepishly whenever I questioningly hold up some badly chewed up shoe.  No need to even ask 'WHO DID THIS?!' ...

I suppose dogs will be dogs...like all dogs, they have selective hearing and understanding ... :P

On days like these, I wish they never outgrew their irrational fear of collars.  All I got to do is put a collar on and I know they'll be ... within the safe confines of Dog Woods.

While we're still on phobias, I got the good doctor to prescribe Trixie some sedative.  According to him, he's seen many dogs injure or even kill themselves because of the fire crackers (the bomb like explosions) and fireworks they let off over the eve of the Chinese New Year (CNY) and the last day of the CNY.

Keeping my fingers crossed that Trixie and the rest of the pack will be fine for the CNY explosive celebrations.