Forbidden Fruit
Our farrier, Rich Boyle of Simms, Montana, was out here last week trimming the horses' hooves. That meant lots of hoof trimmings lying about in the pastures and corrals. There's something about these hoof trimmings that dogs just love as chew toys. Now, most of the dogs stay in our fenced dog yards and don't have access to the pastures and corrals, but one of them does get out and about, and that's Dolly.
She can't get enough of these things ... and that sets up a contest of wills. We don't let her chew on them because they aren't sanitary and we worry about sharp pieces breaking off and getting swallowed. So Dolly knows -- we've been through this a lot in seven years at the ranch -- that hoof trimmings are a no-no. Which makes them all the more desirable, if you know what I mean.
Dolly can't help herself, though. You'd think, having found one of these forbidden hoof trimmings, she'd slink off behind the barn to quietly chew on it. But no, she is compelled to walk around with it in her mouth, as if she's flaunting it. She'll walk right up to me with the dang thing in her mouth ... and yet she knows I am going to make her drop it. Thus the look on her face in the photo above. Judging from the gravel dust and grit on her nose, it appears she had been rooting around for this particular treasure, like a pig hunting for truffles. And just like the pigs who aren't allowed to eat the truffles they find, Dolly had to surrender the hoof trimming, too.
Maybe, since it was Halloween, she thought she could get away with a Trick or Treat!
Posted by:Lahna Zandi | November 02, 2007 at 06:06 AM
Dolly's face says it all. "Drat! Foiled again!"
Posted by:Shelli Smith | November 02, 2007 at 12:11 AM
Hoof Trimmings! Universal treat for dogs!We have same problem when farrier comes to the farm! The dogs leap for joy!Even when just cleaning hooves they gather round just in case I might have one! it is a mystery to me what makes such a thing so desirable in the canine world!Then you have to take them away because they can hurt them-like taking candy from a kid!
Posted by:Mary Young | November 01, 2007 at 07:47 AM
It would be so hard to say NO to Dolly's expressive and beautiful face but it is for her own good.
Great post today; a real treat!
Posted by:Boundforglory | November 01, 2007 at 07:14 AM
I like how Dolly thinks!
Posted by:Shirley & James, Portland, OR | October 31, 2007 at 09:54 PM