Tosca vs. ?

edited October 2008 in General
Tosca, as I have mentioned, has been adjusting well to life in the sort of rural 'burbs of CT - except for one thing - she won't poo. I took her on her nightly walk hoping she might use the opportunity to create some lawn art. She didn't but something in the brush spooked her and she was just really unsettled so I brought her in figuring that, since she won't do her thing, I shouldn't keep her out there to let her be antagonized by all of the sounds made by the various woodland critters. I took off her leash and harness and went back to watching TV. She kept pacing and wouldn't leave me alone. I though she may have decided to dine on some random, barf-inducing, vegetation without my knowing and the last thing I want to have to do is clean up dog sick at some heinous hour. The harness and leash went back on and we were off again.

You can imagine my surprise when, once we were outside, she became the absolute picture of health and began to march confidently around our front yard. She seemed to be searching for the source of the sound that had frightened her. Yes, this was Tosca against the Boogie Man. I was towed around my yard for close to twenty minutes as she thrashed through the leaves, and trekked up and down the driveway until she charged and something scurried off. She looked back at me and then began to happily walk back to the house. She had secured the perimeter and could rest peacefully knowing that she had rescued her new people from whatever monster (or squirrel, or mouse, or bunny) had been threatening their safety.

Currently she is sleeping on the bottom corner of my bed. She's looking at me as if to say "How can you possibly feel secure with me all the way on my sofa in the next room? This is for your own good."

Happy Early Halloween Everyone From Nan and Tosca (the Great Protector)!

Comments

  • edited November -1
    lol! Yay Tosca! :D ~
  • edited November -1
    Sounds similar to Tojo's early experiences out here in the country. When we first moved here from the city, he was surprised and spooked by every little noise and used to have screaming matches with a great-horned owl (they would squeal back and forth to each other - it was bizzare). He's used to it now and he only gets upset when there are coyotes causing a ruckus, in which case he whines and insists on sticking close.
  • edited November -1
    very cute! they are little brush dogs, mine are constantly with their nose under leaves or trying to climb under bushes. Its fun to watch them in 'action mode'.

    She might not poo for a few days, if it comes to about 3+ days without a BM, call the vet and just ask what you can do to help her along - usually olive oil or some wet food does the trick, but check with whatever vet you will be using just in case.

    Good luck - happy halloween to you both, too!
  • edited November -1
    I really wish there was a recording of Tojo vs the Great-Horned Owl screaming matches.

    It's not uncommon for dogs to not poop when they go somewhere new. The first time we left Nemo with some friends for a 3 day weekend, he didn't go at all. I got him home and walked him about 100 yards, he nearly exploded.

    Shibas are good little protectors, a lot of them who have a yard like to "secure" it.
  • edited November -1
    If Miso hears something outside he stays up half the night staring at the back door, like he is protecting it from the birds coming in the house.

    He is our little guard shiba.
  • edited November -1
    Ditto to the not pooping thing. Give her some time to adjust. Lucy is the queen of holding her poo after routine disruptions. She's been known to hold it 5 days or more. The last time it happened she was a few hours away from going to the vet for an enema when she finally let go. Just stick to your routine and she'll get the hang of it pretty soon.

    The guarding behavior is really funny. Its awesome how communicative Shibas can be with their expressive little faces isn't it? :-)
  • edited November -1
    That's too cute! Happy Halloween!
  • edited November -1
    The moratorium on poo has ended. After securing the yard last night, Tosca was fine. It also seems like we have a new routine, we have to take a tour of the yard so Tosca can insure my family's safety.
  • edited November -1
    Aww! That is sweet that Tosca has to make sure the yard is safe enough for all of her people. :) Bella has to do that too, but only when we come home from being away. She runs through the house, and the out into the yard to make sure no strange creatures have taken up residence while we were away. Love those Shiba antics!
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