Tod Wur Dug and the Vending Machine
Treats always flow on my daily walks, but not to me!
I don’t know about any of the other dogs out there on Substack, but my daily walks with Ma involve many stops for four legged users of the “vending machine” or VM as I like to call Ma’s ample, treat filled pockets.
They see her at a distance and ears prick up, tails wag and some even race in our direction, this usually means I have to move off to one side as I’m often a little unsure of other dogs, but Ma loves them all and knows all their names and where they like the special scritches.
There’s Tyson, a massive Pitbull with a head the size of an anvil and just as hard. He sees us and starts woo-woo wooing his Pittie yodel, until he gets to us. He sat on Ma once when she was catching some rays in the park, and she thought she might not ever walk again. He’s a BIG lad!
Blau, a sleek, wee Italian Greyhound who can fit his whole snout (proper Roman nose) into her pocket and suss out the goodies therein.
I reckon that’s a greyhound trait as Duque and Arwen a couple of rescue greyhounds also like to snoot-snoop in pockets and backpacks trying to discover the mythic treat back-up supply
Also, Hako an enormous slobber machine on legs that’s somewhere between a Great Dane and a Cane Corso. We usually cross paths on the circular morning routes, so this lucky blighter will often demand (and receive) two treat tolls from the VM, one for each path crossed.
Then there’s the lovely Naira, another monumental mutt, this time of the Spanish Mastiff variety. She ambles placidly along and flops over immense acreages of bar terrace, but when the VM is near she’ll spring up and throw deep voiced hints our way until a treat is forthcoming.
We also have a plethora of Collies in our neighbourhood, but they are a little more like me, more interested in herding their humans or chasing balls or Frisbees to really care too much about the VM, apart from Nala who, if she’s on the lead, will drag her person right up to the VM and plonk herself down to wait for her treat to be dispensed.
Plonking into a seated position is super important if you want the VM to dispense, she has very particular rules about that. Booping with the snoot is not the way, nor jumping up and pawing her, that’s like people shaking a vending machine to get the snack without paying. Some of my park friends don’t want or can’t have snacks (can’t imagine that myself) and are happy with just an ear scritch from the VM. The VM never asks for a paw, as she’s no fan of person pleasing tricks. But, a calm seated good boy or girl will always get the treat they deserve.
If you’re ever around our way, and you’re feeling peckish, keep a lookout for me and the VM, we love to meet new treat fans. What my canine friends don’t know is the best treat(s) are always reserved for me, and I know just how to get them from the VM!
I loved this - I know exactly what you mean about the woo-woo-wooing, my Staffie does that too, he has a different woo for everything!
Yey! A doggy post!