A Scary Story

I have a scary story to tell y’all. The most horrifying thing happened last night. And this was the culprit:

A dog toy basket — This is Chewy’s dog toy basket. The scary story bad guy, if you will. It’s usually full to the brim with toys and bones.

Chewy LOVES his toy basket. It’s filled with all kind of neat things, from squeaky toys to an old slipper to a million bones from Jones (the small ones are like dog LEGOS and just as much fun to step on in the middle of the night). He drags out at least half of the toys and most of the bones every day. We love watching him throw his squeaky toys in the air and catch them.

But last night he was digging in the basket (I keep it tilted so he can get to the bottom of it), then started running and screaming. Screaming. Freaked out more than I’ve ever seen a dog freak. I won’t lie, initially I thought, “That’s cool! Chewy’s dragging the basket around the house for play. And he’s so excited!”

I thought that in one second. In the next second I was up and running toward him. His collar was caught in the rim of the basket.

Explaining things to the Affenpinscher puppy — Chewy’s telling daddy the story of how the toy basket attacked him, unprovoked, and how the toy basket should be executed for the scare it gave him. Daddy, wisely, agrees that it’s a scary story.

Fortunately, my daughter was near him and able to hold Chewy still long enough to get his collar off. Chewy spent the next twenty minutes in my lap, shivering, glaring at the basket. He hasn’t gone near it since. In fact, this morning I pulled out all his favorite toys and a couple of bones, since he won’t walk anywhere near the basket.

Dog toys on the floor — He went to the toys immediately, like to long-lost friends, and played with them for a bit.

So here’s my dilemma – do I put the collar back on and find a different toy basket, or keep the collar off when he’s in the house? Or both? No collar in the house and change the toy basket? I’m not usually the type of mom to panic, but this gave me a bit of a scare. What if this had happened while I was gone? Chewy’s collar is kinda loose and I have no doubt he could have slipped out of it once he wore himself out. Well, a little doubt.

Oh, the trials of having a little dog.

Pondering Affenpinscher — The world weighs heavily on his shoulders. His decisions are so tough to make. Should he choose the Windee Ring? Or the Lamb Lung Puff? *sigh*

I’m looking forward to hearing your stories. I know you have them. And your solutions. Speaking of solutions! Thanks for weighing in on the travel tips! I totally would have forgotten all of Chewy’s records if y’all hadn’t said something. And I’ll be training him to be comfortable in a crate. You guys are the best, doggone it! Thank you.

Y’all have a great weekend! I’ll be announcing the Boo Bucket winner on Monday, so stay tuned! And until then, pick up some Jones Natural Chews for your dog. And watch it smile.

Until I write again …

Flea

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