Tootsie Roll - Fierce Furniture Fighter

From early in Tootsie Roll's puppyhood, she has shown a distinct preference for plush, fiberfill-stuffed toys. She just loved to tear them apart. She would initiate each toy by first removing the small nubby things, like the ears, nose, or a tail, if the toy had one. After those were adequately chewed off, the arms and legs were the next to go. Once holes had been opened up by the removal of the toy’s appendages, Tootsie would put all of her efforts into tearing out the heart of the toy – the squeaker. Of course, the only way to get at the squeaker was to pull all of that fiberfill out of the toy. It was pretty funny to come home and find little fiberfill snowballs all over the house and Tootsie pleased as punch with herself.

Once the toys lost their appeal, she turned her sights on our family room furniture. It started with a little nibble on the corners of the cushions. The cording that helped form the edges of the cushions was a natural next step. Slowly but surely, it escalated into a full out attack on the sofa and loveseat. It was hard to imagine exactly what went on in our family room while we were gone, but the carnage we would arrive home to every day told the story of the battle that had occurred that day.

Sometime during Tootsie’s furniture destruction phase, we went on vacation for a week, leaving a pet sitter to care for Tootsie and her older sister. Every evening, we would receive frantic calls from the pet sitter describing the annihilation being wrought on our family room furniture. “We know, don’t worry” we would say, trying to calm the pet sitter’s concerns. But, like any good pet sitter, he didn’t want to see that kind of damage being done on his watch. Our old home at the time had only arched doorways and no doors to close off the family room to this little furniture fighter. We came home from vacation to find make-shift plywood doors shutting off access to the family room. Not much for the décor, but I guess it did the trick.

Why didn’t we stop this behavior? Why didn’t we crate our dog? Good question. As younger, less worldly pet owners, we didn’t want to lock up our spirited little dog. After all, we had raised two dogs before Tootsie who never required crating. We now understand that an appropriately used crate can be a good tool for housebreaking and housetraining. If properly used, the dog will grow to think of the crate not as punishment but as its den and safe haven.

Was the behavior caused by separation anxiety, or was it just the way that Tootsie liked to play? It’s hard to believe that separation anxiety was an issue in this otherwise sweet, well-balanced little dog. I continue believe that it was just Tootsie’s idea of a good time.

Old Dogs, Old Shoes

"Old dogs, like old shoes, are comfortable. They might be a bit out of shape and a little worn around the edges, but they fit well." - Bonnie Wilcox - 'Old Dogs, Old Friends: Enjoying Your Older Dog'

Welcome to my Old Dog Dialog and tribute to Tootsie Roll, our 17 1/2 year old beagle mutt. Like a child who needs to tell you that she is 5 1/2 years old, not 5 years old, I like to emphasize that extra half year. I am so thankful for every additional day and month she is with us, that I feel compelled to count them.

One of the things that I have definitely noticed is how our relationship has changed over the past 17 1/2 years. When Tootsie came to live with us, she was like a pair of strappy, high-heeled sandals I used to wear. Both Tootsie and the shoes were cute, playful and sassy. They both said "look at me, I'm fun, let's get crazy!" However, if their energy was not properly focused, they would occasionally get into a bit of trouble. For example, the time she destroyed our family room furniture, or the time I was in New Orleans and . . . never mind, this is about her, not me. Like all good dog parents, we spent a lot of time reinforcing good behavior and redirecting her efforts in those early years.

As Tootsie reached her "teen years", she began to settle down, and her true personality started to show. In this phase, she reminded me of a pair of black patent leather sling-backs I used to wear - still high-heeled, of course. She had firm muscles, clear eyes and a beautiful, black, shiny coat. Tootsie's friendly, sweet persona had developed, but she was still full of vigor and intent on living life to the fullest.

As the years went on, Tootsie's sweetness never wavered, and a calm settled over her nature. Throughout those same years, the heels on my shoes started getting shorter and the toes less pointed. Leaving the corporate world and starting a pet sitting business helped make that easier to pull off. I now relate Tootsie to the pair of walking shoes I wore for the Avon Breast Cancer Walk. A lot of miles were put on those shoes, and they just kept going.

Quality time with Tootsie right now often involves us sharing the love seat with Sosa, our terrier mutt. Tootsie is usually snoozing, and I'll be reading or watching TV. And, on my feet, are a pair of well-worn blue slippers. Like Tootsie, they are warm, cozy and as comfortable as can be.