From My Window

Old Dog, New Tricks

By Jane Thibodeau Martin,

A lot of people, seeing their beloved dog aging, choose to get a new puppy. This follows an old saying, "The old dog teaches the new pup." I was always intrigued by this strategy, but my husband and I have never gotten a puppy. We've rescued and re-homed some, but it always seems like when there is any kind of dog vacancy in our lives, God sends us an adult dog who needs us. But people who swear by this method say the pup does watch the older dog, and model that behavior; and if the pup gets out of line, the senior dog does the disciplining; teaching them what the "rules" of the house are.

However, at my house we recently have had an example of where our senior dog, Ivy, who is probably around 8, learned some irritating behavior from our younger dog, Wolfgang.

Living here in the south (and really almost everywhere) heartworm is a very serious risk for dogs. And of course, our flea "season" is year-round. So my dogs are on a monthly combination medication for fleas and heartworm prevention. The pills are about the size of a quarter for large dogs like ours, and are billed as "palatable," meaning most dogs should eat them happily because they taste good.

Our beloved Zoey, the pit bull, ate these pills like candy. So when Ivy arrived on the scene here about 7 years ago, she watched Zoey, our senior dog, gobble her pill and promptly ate her own. No problem, about as convenient as pilling a dog can be.

Unfortunately, Wolfgang has a different opinion about the pills. Instead of viewing them as a treat, he'd mouth it, and then eject it onto the floor. He was not inspired by watching Ivy eat hers. Since he refused to eat naked pills, I tried wrapping it in "flat cheese." That's what we call the nasty, rubbery cheese squares in plastic-wrap that are excellent for giving pills to dogs. You just wrap the pill up in some flat cheese, squeeze it together, and 99% of dogs will gobble it up.

Not Wolfgang. He surgically separates the cheese and pill, eats the cheese, and leaves. Literally leaves, and I'd have to grab the pill before Ivy ate it.

I tried everything. I cut the pill in quarters, and hid the pieces in slits in a hot dog. Nope. I rolled raw hamburger around it " no way. Out of desperation, I pounded the pill into powder, and then thoroughly mixed it with hamburger, and put him in his crate with it. (I have to do that, or Ivy would steal and eat it.) He ate it pretty slowly, but he did eat it. Now, it's kind of a hassle to go through this every month, but it's better than having fleas in the house or treating a dog with heartworm.

But then Ivy, who observed all my efforts with interest, starting being unenthused about her naked pill. Since I already had the hamburger to mix his, I started putting hers inside a little ball of hamburger. The first few months she ate it with enthusiasm. Then she started eating the burger first, then slowly consuming the pill.

This week, she ate the meat, and then went to bed, leaving the pill on the floor. She watched with the dog face we call "side eyes" while I picked up the pill and put it into her food dish. When it was time for her dinner, I added her food to the dish. She ate all the food with her normal enthusiasm, but the pill remained in the dish.

So I have resigned myself to making special "pill hash" for both dogs every month. Maybe in some houses the old dog teaches the young pup. In our house, the young dog teaches the old dog, who then teaches the human.

And I'm left to ponder the mystery of why dogs won't eat a pill designed to taste good, but they eat, with great enthusiasm, horse poop, rotting fish carcasses they find on a shore covered with flies; or the paper bag someone discarded that has hamburger grease on it. Maybe they should make pills that taste like that.

A happy mother's day to all mothers. A first-time mom recently said something that caught my attention. She said, "You never know how many things there are to worry about, until you have a child." This is so true, and reflects a mother's unending drive to protect her children from hurt and harm.

You can reach me for commentary, alternative viewpoints or ideas at this e-mail address: Janiethibmartin@gmail.com.

Recent stories, opinions and photos

Issue Date	Department	Headline
09-13-2018	Obituaries	Martin Colburn
09-13-2018	Obituaries	Susan Delaurelle
09-13-2018	Obituaries	Sandra Dubovenko
09-13-2018	Obituaries	Alice M. Forslund
09-13-2018	Obituaries	Meho Hukarevic, Jr.
09-13-2018	Obituaries	Jane F. Kloida
09-13-2018	Obituaries	Sharon A. LaFond
09-13-2018	Obituaries	Wilbert E. Leino
09-13-2018	Obituaries	Donald Mariucci
09-13-2018	Obituaries	Emil "Butch" Mittag
09-13-2018	Obituaries	Jane Newlin
09-13-2018	Obituaries	Joyce P. Peterson
09-13-2018	Obituaries	Patricia A Peterson
09-13-2018		Maxine R. Schmoeckel
09-13-2018	Obituaries	Rhonda Sowle
09-13-2018	Obituaries	Jean L. Vieth
09-13-2018		Country Cousin
09-13-2018	Perspectives	From Our Readers
09-13-2018	Perspectives	From My Window
09-13-2018	Sports	Bulldogs Have Busy Week With Mixed Results
09-13-2018	Sports	Area Teams Compete in Shawano Invite
09-13-2018	Sports	Cougars Secures Win Over Tough Tigers
09-13-2018	Sports	Bulldogs Edge Cougars in "County B" Match Up
09-13-2018	Community - Wausaukee	Presbyterian Church Fall Dinner Oct. 20
09-13-2018	Community - Wausaukee	Co. Horse Exhibitors Qualify for State
09-13-2018	Community - Wausaukee	10th Annual Village Wausaukee Fall Fest
09-13-2018	Community - Crivitz	Bellin Health-Crivitz Monthly CPR Class
09-13-2018	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz VFW Post Essay Competitions
09-13-2018	Community - Crivitz	Cancer Benefit for Elysia Mireles
09-13-2018	Community - Crivitz	Author to Speak at Crivitz on Sept. 13
09-13-2018	Community - Coleman	Coleman School Board To Greet New Staff Sept. 17
09-13-2018	Community - Coleman	Coleman Fire Department Open House, Booyah Sale Is Oct. 7
09-13-2018	Community - Coleman	Meyers Family Held Family Reunion Sept. 2
09-13-2018	Community - Coleman	Benefit for Walker Family
09-13-2018	Front Page	Peshtigo Zion Lutheran Church To Celebrate 150th Anniversary
09-13-2018	Front Page	County Board To View 2019 Budget Sept. 18
09-13-2018	Front Page	Get Information Sept. 17 On New Sex Offender In Pound
09-13-2018	Front Page	Explosion and Fire Damages Two Silos At Marth Pellet Co.
09-13-2018	Front Page	Insight Into Parkinson's Conference in Menominee
09-06-2018	Obituaries	Marian J. Allen
09-06-2018	Obituaries	Helen Basak
09-06-2018	Obituaries	Carol (Beyer) Bassen
09-06-2018	Obituaries	John D. Bolen
09-06-2018	Obituaries	Glenn Casper
09-06-2018	Obituaries	Roy Dennis
09-06-2018	Obituaries	Mary R. Ferris
09-06-2018	Obituaries	Rolyn Gilligan
09-06-2018	Obituaries	Kathleen Grinsteiner
09-06-2018	Obituaries	Shirley M. Halvorsen
09-06-2018	Obituaries	Joyce E. Hawkins
09-06-2018	Obituaries	Robert A. Koscher
09-06-2018	Obituaries	Joseph M. Larson
09-06-2018	Obituaries	John C. Lyman
09-06-2018	Obituaries	Dorothy J. McCash
09-06-2018	Obituaries	Donald C. Ratayczak
09-06-2018	Obituaries	Margaret M. Schmidt
09-06-2018	Obituaries	Shirley M. Schounard
09-06-2018	Obituaries	Sharon A. Szabo
09-06-2018	Obituaries	Myrtle M. Van Laarhoven
09-06-2018	Obituaries	Tyler G. Walker
09-06-2018	Obituaries	Robert G. Westoff
09-06-2018	Obituaries	Nancy J. Wituschek
09-06-2018	Obituaries	Shirley Zoeller
09-06-2018	Perspectives	Country Cousin
09-06-2018	Perspectives	Trail Camera Stars
09-06-2018	Perspectives	From our readers
09-06-2018	Sports	Peshtigo Stays UnBeaten in PackerLand
09-06-2018	Sports	Peshtigo Wins Tri-City Match-Up
09-06-2018	Sports	DNR Conservation Wardens reminder to ATV and UTV riders: "Wear it, Wisconsin!"
09-06-2018	Sports	Hansen/Polomis Top Area Runners At Irish Waters
09-06-2018	Community - Wausaukee	50 Unites Blood Needed for Sept. 10
09-06-2018	Community - Wausaukee	Big Wausaukee Fall Fest Oct. 6
09-06-2018	Community - Wausaukee	Legion Post 66 Meeting Sept. 8
09-06-2018	Community - Wausaukee	Silver Cliff Auxiliary To Meet Sept. 10th
09-06-2018	Community - Crivitz	31st Annual Ruffed Grouse Society Sportsmen Banquet
09-06-2018	Community - Coleman	Equity Big Tractor, Truck Pulls, Bands Sept. 15th
09-06-2018	Community - Coleman	Utility Board To Meet Sept. 10
09-06-2018	Community - Coleman	Pound Fire Dept. Gets WPS Grant
09-06-2018	Community - Coleman	Coleman HS Class of 1957 Reunion Sept. 14
09-06-2018	Front Page	Thousands Pay Tribute To Vietnam Heroes During Wall That Heals Visit
09-06-2018	Front Page	Name Richard Badgley As New Peshtigo Police Chief
09-06-2018	Front Page	Family Seeks Reopening Of Cottage Lane Bridge
09-06-2018	Front Page	Two Men Die In Marinette County Crashes Monday
09-06-2018	Front Page	Public Services Committee Airs Inmate Phone Call Costs
08-29-2018	Front Page	Large Caravan Welcomes Wall That Heals To Crivitz
08-29-2018	Front Page	Burmeister Approved As Highway Commissioner
08-29-2018	Front Page	Crivitz School Holding Open Houses Aug. 30
08-29-2018	Front Page	To Name New Chief Sept. 4
08-29-2018	Front Page	Marinette County Fair Draws Record Crowds Despite Rain
08-29-2018	Community - Coleman	Flag Burning at Coleman Sept. 4
08-29-2018	Community - Coleman	Flag Burning at Coleman Sept. 4
08-29-2018	Community - Coleman	Coleman HS Class of 1957 Reunion Sept. 14
08-29-2018	Community - Coleman	Coleman 1952-58 Classes Reunion
08-29-2018	Community - Coleman	Coleman Board To Meet Sept. 4
08-29-2018	Community - Crivitz	Legion Labor Day Trap Shoot Sept. 1
08-29-2018	Community - Crivitz	Benefit For Annette Bevier
08-29-2018	Community - Crivitz	Book Sale at Crivitz Library
08-29-2018	Community - Crivitz	Cornhole Benefit for Cancer Victim
08-29-2018	Community - Pembine	Elderly Services Sign Up for Living Well
08-29-2018	Community - Pembine	Amberg Historical Society Museum Opens Sept. 1, 3
08-29-2018	Community - Pembine	Beecher Okays Liquor License for 4-Seasons
08-29-2018	Community - Pembine	West Shore Museum Ice Cream Social Sept. 2
08-29-2018	Community - Wausaukee	Silver Cliff ATV Victim Identified
08-29-2018	Community - Wausaukee	Northwoods Auction Is Sunday, Sept. 2
08-29-2018	Community - Wausaukee	Presbyterian Women List Coming Events
08-29-2018	Community - Wausaukee	WHS Class of 1958 To Celebrate 60 Years
08-29-2018	Perspectives	Country Cousin
08-29-2018	Perspectives	From our readers
08-29-2018	Perspectives	From My Window - Edgar Steam Show
08-29-2018	Obituaries	Beverly Wagner
08-29-2018	Obituaries	Marion E. Verbisky
08-29-2018	Obituaries	Mary A. Slempkes
08-29-2018	Obituaries	Nickolas E. Sharkey
08-29-2018	Obituaries	Edward A. Ochs
08-29-2018	Obituaries	Richard R. Klabunde
08-29-2018	Obituaries	Steve Hines
08-29-2018	Obituaries	Johnnie L. Dietrich
08-29-2018	Obituaries	Arling Christensen
08-29-2018	Obituaries	Dennis I. Kitchenmaster
08-29-2018	Obituaries	Allen R. Urbaniak
08-29-2018	Obituaries	Dorothy Torzala
08-29-2018	Obituaries	Sheila Koons
08-29-2018	Obituaries	John C. Larson
08-29-2018	Obituaries	Robert G. Hamm
08-29-2018	Obituaries	Steven K. Gromoski
08-29-2018	Obituaries	Patricia A. Gamelin
08-29-2018	Obituaries	Marvin J. Chaltry
08-29-2018	Sports	Marinette Edges Menominee in 112th M&M Showdown
08-29-2018	Sports	Bulldogs Hold Off Bears; Coleman Tops Crivitz
08-29-2018	Sports	Volleyball Teams See First Full Week of Action
08-29-2018	Sports	Area Teams Compete at Gibraltar Invite
08-23-2018	Front Page	Wall That Heals Honor Procession On Aug. 28
08-23-2018	Front Page	Vandals Continue To Hit At Badger Park
08-23-2018	Front Page	County Board Faces Major Decisions at Aug. 28 Meet
08-23-2018	Front Page	Marinette County Fair Starts Thursday, Aug. 23
08-23-2018	Sports	Gridiron Play Begins With Opening Week Action
08-23-2018	Sports	Volleyball Season Begins With Season Opening Invites
08-23-2018	Sports	Peshtigo Soccer Opener Ends in Tie with Antigo
08-23-2018	Sports	Marinette Girls Earn Silver at Home Invite
08-23-2018	Sports	Two Tie for Little River CC Couples Tourney Title
08-23-2018	Community - Coleman	Hirings, Resignations On Coleman School Agenda
08-23-2018	Community - Coleman	Flag Burning at Coleman Sept. 4
08-23-2018	Community - Coleman	Shehows Mark 60th Wedding Anniversary
08-23-2018	Community - Coleman	Coleman CCBA Hosts Sell-A-Bration
08-23-2018	Community - Crivitz	Middle Inlet Weathers Storms, Road Work Still On Schedule
08-23-2018	Community - Crivitz	Set Aug. 28 For Crivitz School Budget Hearing
08-23-2018	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Youth Cheer Registration Aug. 27
08-23-2018	Community - Crivitz	Loomis Historical Pot Luck Sept. 6th
08-23-2018	Community - Wausaukee	Under the Lights Entertainment Teams Up with Wausaukee Enterprises
08-23-2018	Community - Wausaukee	Athelstane Fire Department Repays $13,000 To Town