I noticed that as the security guards we hire get smaller in size, they have a lot more yard to cover. They appear to get further and further from the big tree so that they can see what is happening. It looks to me like Charles and Jolie have worked out their parameter strategies. I must say that Jolie is very fast whenever a squirrel touches down.
I don’t know who I am more afraid of, the 2 ankle biters or the big 100 lb ball of fluff. Squash never barked unless he really meant it (and what a bark it was) vs the littles who never stop yapping.
Do you have a snuffle? They are mats that are perfect for hiding treats in so we have to work at finding them.
Jolie is absolutely obsessed with nose work; Charles, not so much.
Snuffling is a brain game. This is like dog scent hide-and-seek. Since dogs have millions (or more) scent receptors than we do, this is a great way to activate that part of their brain. According to The Dog People at Rover.com, the scent-processing part of a dog’s brain is about 40 times larger than in humans, making it about 1/8th of a dog’s total brain space.
Snuffle mats have a lot of benefits:
Slow down a fast eater
Encourage reluctant eaters
Help anxious or bored dogs burn energy and distract them
Help with cognitive decline/dementia
Do you want to learn more about using a snuffle mat? Check out this info from RUFFLE SNUFFLE, they say they are the original.
Jolie here: Mom took me to visit Grammie. She is in a special place that helps her; it is called ‘assisted living.’ Grammie is going to be 98 and can’t get around like she used to. Even though she really is a cat person, she enjoyed my visit with her. I think I was pretty good with the old lady. I sat on her lap and I tried to kiss her.
Mom said if I get good at this old people stuff, maybe when the triple-demic quiets down, she will take me to visit old people more often. There was only one problem though: it was a million degrees in the room and I really started to fall asleep. I jumped on Grammie’s bed and took a nap while Mom did other stuff.
When Charles was a younger man (about 6 years ago when he first came to the Zoo), he visited Grammie too. But Charles is kind of set in his ways and isn’t really a lap guy. Charles is a ‘don’t pick me up’ and ‘don’t make me stay on your lap’ kind of dog.
I could really get into this visiting stuff. Unlike Charles, I love car rides, new people, snuggles, and of course, lots of treats. But turn down the thermostat!!!!
Yard Security 2014 – Sofie and Louise
