6/4/2020
Chatterbox
Betty
Kaiser
 |
| Sammy as a puppy |
The
Coronavirus pandemic has affected everyone in our house—even the dogs. No,
they’re not wearing masks or washing their paws as they go in or out of the back
door. But they have a social problem. Our feisty little Dachshunds are great watch
dog companions that are always on alert for people and predators. They take
their jobs seriously.
They
are the welcoming party to the Kaiser household and nothing comes onto the
property without being greeted. During wet weather, they stay inside and guard
their domain through the French doors. In warm weather they go outside in the
sunshine and wait for company to come calling so they can announce their
arrival.
But
thanks to Covid-19, traffic has slowed down and welcoming barks are strangely
quiet. You might say they are not happy campers. So, Sammy has taken up whining
as a new hobby.
Last
week, he literally nearly drove me crazy—in the house. The weather was nice but
he didn’t want to stay outside. Wherever I went. He went. If I was in the
laundry room. He was there. If I went upstairs, so did he. He even came into the bathroom with me. And
the whining never stopped. Step after step, room after room, I worked and he
whined.
In
desperation, I sat down, gave him my undivided attention, petted, murmured
sweet words, massaged and hugged him. More whining. I tried coaxing him with
his favorite chew treat—a bacon flavored Nyla Bone. He would have none of it. Instead, he looked at the door and…whined!
During
that time, his little housemate Sweetie ignored us! It was the perfect
opportunity for her to sleep in Sammy’s bed and play with his toys. But she was
also getting anxious. She wanted to go in and out the back door every few
minutes. If only she knew how to turn the doorknob!
This
went on all week. I was really annoyed until I figured out the problem.
I
already knew that our dogs could sense tension in the air. As a puppy, during
any household disagreement (even on the television!) Sammy would go into my
office, climb into Sweetie’s bed and go to sleep. He only comes out when the
noise calms down!
Then I
read that other pets across the country have become unhappy during this
pandemic situation. Two reasons: 1.
Their daily life routines have been turned upside down. 2. If their human is
anxious, they are too.
Huh.
What a concept. Anxious? Tense? Me? During Covid-19? Yep. That's me!
For
weeks, I would get uptight just thinking about going to the store. First, I
would read the latest socializing restrictions.
I’d make my list and check it twice. Then
I’d check the car for hand sanitizer, put on my mask and gloves and go back
into the house to check one more thing and leave.
All the
while, the dogs would be watching, dogging me and trying to get in the car and
go with me. They’re spoiled. When they go with dad, his “people” give them
treats. Not me.
Sammy
and Sweetie live for company. But for months (per CDC guidelines), human visitors
have been few and far between. Thank goodness for neighborly conversations across
the fence, USPS and UPS.
Some
days, I also feel like whining. A worldwide pandemic that’s killing thousands
of people calls for fear, heartache and extreme changes in lifestyle.
Physical
distancing, no church, haircuts or dining out and staying home are a small
price to pay to save lives. But it took awhile to realize how important seeing
our friends and hugging them on a regular basis is important emotionally.
Sometimes I feel like I am in prison!
Like
us, our dogs have been missing their people, running around the property and
having fun. Playing catch or tag with a squeaky toy in the house just doesn’t
cut it. They quickly tire of ordinary games and get bored.
So, we
have a new routine. Daily, I snap on Sammy’s leash to go out to the mailbox (about
a ¼ mile walk) and pick up the mail. Then I unleash him and we walk around our
wooded acreage and wave at the neighbors driving by.
Sometimes
Sweetie joins us. Then both of them get a chance to investigate new squirrel
holes, chase birds, bark at any motorcycles that zoom past their territory and
greet Bella (the dog next door).
At
home, we get a drink of water, sit down and kibbutz while Sammy gets a massage
and Sweetie takes a nap. It’s a new normal but it works for the time-being. No
whining allowed. Yea!
Thankfully,
hope is on the horizon. Virus numbers are down. Community doors are opening
again and yesterday, a car drove down our driveway.
Hallelujah!
Contact Betty Kaiser’s
Chatterbox
email bchatty@bettykaiser.com
