Once. That's the number of times I've ever seen Heather play with a toy in the two years I've known her. It came as a surprise, really. We had had Heather for only a few months when it happened. Scottie Dad was playing tug with Mr. K and his Skinneez Beaver toy. Heather, always one to steal the show, came up to Scottie Dad to nuzzle his legs while the boys were playing. Scottie Dad looked down and said, "Do you want to play, too?"
He took the Skinneez Beaver away from Mr. K and held it in front of Heather. Much to our surprise, she grabbed hold of it and started playing tug (very lightly and ladylike, of course). She didn't thrash her head back and forth or scoot her bottom to the floor to anchor herself down like Mr. K does but she did offer a few good tugs and Scottie Dad and I applauded her the whole time. A few minutes later, play time was over and Heather took the Skinneez Beaver away happily. Of course, Mr. K followed and snatched it up as soon as it hit the floor.
It was such a happy few minutes and we really thought this was a sign she was becoming comfortable enough to play. Turns out, that would be the only time we would ever see her play with a toy. She's just not a fan of them. Perhaps she's too mature. Or maybe she just doesn't understand a toy's purpose since she spent a good while on the streets and frequented trash cans for fun (and food) instead. Either way, I always felt guilty going to the store and picking out toys for Mr. K and never getting something for Heather. Yes, there are always treats but I really try not to overdo those!
One day, I came across Nylabone and decided to give it a try. Mr. K had long given up on one I bought him years ago but who's to say Heather wouldn't like it? Sure enough, she grabbed the bone out of my hand and dragged it away, chewing it until she got bored and Mr. K would snatch it from her. (Because, as all Scottie Moms have witnessed, it is absolute torture for a Scottie to see something they ordinarily wouldn't have interest in in the paws of another dog!)
Still, Heather only goes to her bone when I pick it up and hand it to her. I think she thinks it is brand new when I do that. Her friends Syd and Oz's Scottie Mom gave her some sort of rawhide chew that she absolutely loves to chomp on. We keep it under the hooman bed and every morning she rediscovers it (once Scottie Dad has left, of course!) like a long lost treasure.
Our Lucy 'lello Lab has never been a "player" unless it is to retrieve. Hootie, on the other hand, will chew a Nylabone until I have to throw it away. And he, too, has his Skinneez "babies" but prefers the ones with the stuffing. Hootie loves to "operate" on the new stuffed ones and make them into his very own skinneez babies! Just like peeps' children, no two pups are alike :-)
ReplyDeleteThe toys stay in the basket here until visiting pooches take them out. But bones and other chewables? GONE! and let the growling begin should ANYONE think of trying to share!
ReplyDelete...I have such "long lost treasures" too but if I play with them they are more "long lost trash" after some minutes ;o)
ReplyDeleteIt may have to do with 'dental' issues... just a thought.
ReplyDeleteBonnie plays and Nan won't, but I think that Nan, having come to us very late in her life, never learned to play. She was a little terrier in a big dog household where she was no one's special pal. But here, she is mine and I hope we can make up to her for all those years.
ReplyDeleteI'm not much for toys either. Kaci destroys all my old ones, but she's not a Scottie.
ReplyDeleteI like squeaky toys, but Floyd is a real hog and takes them off me when ever I try to play...
ReplyDeleteAw, what a cute photo. Cool that she likes the bone...maybe she's too much of a girly girl to play with all those other toys ;)
ReplyDeleteKirbys the same way, a bone is just not nearly as interesting, unless it'sin poe's mouth or my hand first!
ReplyDelete