I might crack a smile but ain't a damn thing funny.

[raybear]

Even though I came into work late, I'm struggling to make it to 5 o'clock. I might need a post-work disco nap before pubquiz. Oh, and I have dommeyourass's wheels so if anyone from the west side (or anywhere in between) needs a ride to Andersonville aka Canada, let me know.

I think I had really intense and heartwrenching dreams last night. I keep getting vague flashes of them throughout the day but it's still fuzzy. Maybe that's another reason why I woke up sad -- something fcked up is happening in my parallel world.

Sophie has been obsessed with getting in the garbage lately. I'm having to crate her every time we leave the house now and sometimes even at night while sleeping. She's also been even more needy than usual. Is there a way of training a dog out of their neurosis and co-dependency? I mean, seriously, it's bad lately. Sometimes it's cute and sweet and adorable, but lately it's just pissing me off. Constantly getting in my face and seeking attention whether I'm on the couch or bed or office or hell, even the toilet. She's nearly three years old but she still has strong puppy tendencies. Maybe I'm the one with the problem -- I just need a brief vacation from dog-duties. It's hard being a single parent to a needy creature -- Lowenstein helps out some which is great, but I do 90% of the walking and feeding and whatnot (because she is MY dog. I'm not abdicating responsibility here). Tomorrow I might drive her to the dog park even though it's freezing outside and let her run around until she exhausts herself or my hands get frostbitten, whichever comes first. She probably is extra cranky and needy because of winter cabin fever. Maybe she has seasonal affective disorder. Maybe I need to stop talking about my dog like a child.

Comments

Never!

[wrdgrrl.livejournal.com]

Never stop talking about your dog like she's your child! She is your baby after all. She probably is experiencing cabin fever. I know I am! Plus, Mousse seems to get more insane if she doesn't get doggie play time at least once a week. Maybe Sophie needs more dog on dog interaction. Taking her to the park should relieve that.

uh-huh, i see... so what you're saying is..

[keetbabe.livejournal.com]

i obsess about my birds too. they don't like being in the cage all day when i'm gone and get depressed when i'm not home a whole lot. i constantly worry about this and am trying to figure out a solution. or maybe it's my problem and the birds don't really care?

this needy thing with sophie-- and i love dogs and could never tire hearing about them-- may be a chicken-egg thing. she's feeling needy, expresses herself, you give her attention, which is what she wanted, so she wants more. then she gets upset when you're not home, so she goes after the garbage, b/c then you'll give her attention for it, but instead now you put her in the crate, which makes her lonely and the whole thing starts over again... not sure how to stop it. maybe a guaranteed 10 mins a day of undivided attention, when she's not acting needy? does she have any toys or stuffed animals in the cage to keep her company?

Re: uh-huh, i see... so what you're saying is..

[raybear.livejournal.com]

yeah, good advice, similar to what i've been thinking and knowing i should do, even if i'm not present or in the mood. i have been trying to play with her every night, even if it's just 15 minutes of uninterrupted play in addition to the occasional stuff. but it's hard when i'm annoyed with her to spend time with her, even though i know it perpetuates the cycle. that's why this morning i was thinking the dog park might be in order for tomorrow to help break the cycle.

she's also very sensitive to people coming and going and schedule changes, so part of it might be the increased absences of DYA lately.

le monde des animaux!

[nineinchlovely.livejournal.com]

Animal Planet as a bit of a friend to her? Chester loves it.

Re: uh-huh, i see... so what you're saying is..

[keetbabe.livejournal.com]

i know! i have the same feelings with the birds! theywould probably do better with consistency, and i'm told that humans do too but to me it's just plain boring to be consistent. can't stand it. don't like it. hate it. i'm bored already thinking about getting up at the same time every day. so they and i will just have to adjust. that's what life is about...

Re: uh-huh, i see... so what you're saying is..

[raybear.livejournal.com]

it's a fine line between being consistent initially to build trust, but then not getting dependent on it. much like housebreaking -- in the beginning i took her out with super regularity so she would learn to depend on constant outings. but then after several months, she learned to trust that i would always come home and let her out and not forget.

last summer she would often spend days AND nights alone. probably once or twice a week i'd go over to DYA's house without her and she got used to it. i want to get her back up to that level of independence again. i'm probably enabling her dependency and not realizing it! or maybe she's just a bottomless pit of wanting attention, so no matter how much i give her, even if we played 8 hours a day, she'll always want more. which means it's really only my own guilt i need to deal with.

[limenal.livejournal.com]

Maybe after the musical I could try to come and take her to the park once a week or something. Would that be helpful?