Jake Canine Americans are a breed unto themselves and life as part of the pack can be an enlightening experience. Our pack consists of four humans and two Canine Americans. My dad is the pack leader, and both canines and humans recognize his stature, but when the pack leader is away, all bets are off and the Canine Americans engage in some very sneaky and doggy behaviors.

The trimming of the claws

On October 24, we made our quarterly pilgrimage to Blythewood Animal Hospital for the trimming of the claws. Neither of the Canine Americans particularly enjoys the pedicure process so we find it worth the fee and the drive to have someone else accomplish the odious task. Jake, of course, who dearly loves Dr. Branson, bravely volunteered to go first. The only challenge was hauling his beefy body up onto the weigh table for the procedure. He cheerfully submitted to the pedicure and greedily gobbled the yummy treats Dr. Branson hand feeds good little puppies who cooperate. The Chi grudgingly submitted to her trimming and though she refused the treat one could tell from her jaunty step, that the procedure had its desired effect and, besides, she enjoyed two protracted rides on the same day, so she was a happy girl. Cainus Gigantus

The Chi The Chi is not really enamored of her new housemate. She views him as an escapee from The Land of the Giants and cannot quite figure out why we would subject her to such an indignity. When Dr. Branson’s able assistant was finally able to haul Jake’s hefty self up onto the scale, Dixie’s worst fears were confirmed. Despite the fact that we had chosen the runt of the litter our eight–month old “miniature” Australian Shepherd stands 18 inches at the withers and weighs in at 41 pounds…a true Cainus Gigantus! But then….he’s a really sweet guy and a great addition to the pack so I guess it doesn’t matter if he is miniature or not.

Creative Mischief

It is said that Aussies are in the habit of finding things to entertain themselves when left to their own devices. Jake is deceptive. When the pack is together he lounges comfortably in the nearest lap ( He is a lap full!), roosts on the ottoman, or dozes beside Mom on the sofa giving the impression he is an innocent well–behaved puppy. Everyday when we leave for the day, we fill his dishes, call him up on the den sofa, kiss his furry little head, and tell him to “Guard the House.” For awhile that seemed to do the trick, but we soon discovered that he had interpreted that to mean chew the table legs, shred the paper towels, eat the chair rungs, gnaw the knobs off the bottom drawers of my armoire, remove the covers of every paperback book in reach, and obliterate any other interesting target within range. We are mystified as to how a puppy with a stomach so sensitive that he must eat a bland diet of chicken, millet, and rice can digest such an odd assortment of things.

Itchy Brother and Snarky Sister

It seems that Sir Jake has developed a flea allergy. One little flea bite leaves his pink belly covered in a miserable red rash. Before the trimming of the claws he managed to inflict wounds all around his head and neck as he chased fleas aggressively around the collar area seeking to stop the itching and biting. Poor little Itchy brother. Recently my brother managed to chase him down and haul his gargantuan bulk down the basement stair and into the dog sink for a good drubbing. Once there, Jake submitted gratefully to the drowning of the fleas and the subsequent application of flea repellant. The Chi was another matter. Despite the fact that she enjoys a good wallow after bathing, the idea of submitting to a dunking is not attractive to her. It took two of us a good thirty minutes to corner her and get her downstairs and into the sink where she sulked and glared double barrel stink eye at the offending humans until the task was done. She continued the deadly stink eye as she enjoyed her wallow, and I still think I can feel her malevolent glare as she lurks beneath the sofa studiously avoiding all potential human contact as she plots her revenge. I guess no good deed goes unpunished after all.

Stay tuned for more interesting developments with

the Jake–a–lope and Chizillah! Join us next month in The

Columbia Star for more adventures with the Canine Americans.