Barking Blondes: A dog’s unusual dinner
We would have hoped that Molly, our 12 year old Bull terrier, was old enough and wise enough not to have eaten a packet of sanitary towels this week but, unfortunately, not.
Apart from the embarrassment of arriving home with a neighbour to find these products strewn all over the landing, we were puzzled as to what had caused such untypical behaviour. After all, what on the surface was very amusing could have triggered a potential digestive problem and expensive trip to the vets.
Maybe Molly was suffering from separation anxiety, a post trauma reaction to being lost in a wheat field recently for 10 hours. Or was she was just being ‘bloody minded’ which bull breeds can be at being left alone for an hour? Of course it could just have been an attention seeking statement. Either way we’re thankful that the contents are passing through.
Thanks to dogs’ strong constitution and a very acid stomach, its extraordinary what can go through. On a short break in Norfolk, Matilda, our British Bulldog, chomped her way through the contents of her dinner including the newly purchased travel bowl. Wracked with worry, the weekend was then spent in anticipation of every bowel movement. And yes, it eventually emerged some days later.
Recent research discovered that the Chihuahua is the most destructive breed of dog. How can the smallest breed of mutt cause so much havoc?
Like many ‘air-dogs’ they are often carried everywhere, which gives them a Napoleon complex. Maybe they assume they’re above other dogs (and even people) as they look down at the world from a higher position. Hence they become empowered in an unattractive way.
We invited Top Burlesque artist, Lady Alex and Roxy, her tiny fawn smooth coat Chihuahua, to join us for ‘Pups on the Piazza’.
Whilst the weather is fine, we now broadcast live outside New Broadcasting House next to the One Show with our Bull Breeds Molly and Matilda. Molly’s enthusiastic bark resonates across the hallowed studios of Radios 1 and 4 and in recent weeks a healthy turn out of listeners and their dogs have joined us.
Roxy behaved impeccably for her radio outing, although Lady Alex admitted she has the odd tantrum during a performance whilst back stage in the dressing room. This included raiding the props cupboard and then devouring several feathers and a tub of silver glitter. Lady Alex admitted that the following day, the chore of picking up after Roxy was literally added with extra sparkle!
One in ten dogs suffer from the anxiety of being left alone which can lead to destructive behaviour triggered by angst or simply boredom. Callers to our radio show entertained non dog lovers with details of what their pooches had eaten when left home alone to their own devices. A Jack Russell from North London had devoured an entire ottoman that had recently been re-upholstered. And then went back and did it again! A Samoyed took to gnawing its way through a set of wicker garden furniture – happily both lived to tell the tale. The dog owners among us flinched at every anecdote.
Somehow, it seems, our four legged friends often have the last laugh.
Barking Blondes by Jo Good & Anna Webb, published by Hamlyn, £12.99www.octopusbooks.co.uk
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