There was something strange about that water bowl

Mama Dreamer

So, get this.

Mamma Dreamer has a superstition.

And there is nothing I can do about it.  

Dreamer has decided that a particular water bowl is NOT going to be in with the puppies.

Or anywhere near her, for that matter!

I swear she believes it’s either harmful or evil.

It’s a big stainless steel bowl.

Nothing fancy at all.

I sniffed it with my inferior human nostrils, but didn’t smell anything.

I cleaned it, just to make sure no scent lingered.

Didn’t matter.

I moved it out of the puppy pen, thinking Dreamer just didn’t want it in there with her babies.

Still didn’t matter.

She does NOT like that bowl, at all!

And do you know how I know for a fact that Dreamer was having nothing to do with that inconspicuous stainless steel bowl?

She ever so gently picks the bowl up,

not spilling the water,

carries it to the front door

and dumps it!

Then, she drops the bowl and goes back in with her babies.

As long as the bowl has water in it, she will pick it up, walk it over to the front door, dump and drop it.

It doesn’t matter where the bowl is, either.

It’s the darnedest thing!

Now, if it’s empty… no problem.

Only when it has water in it.

But that’s not even the craziest part of this whole situation.

Apparently, Dreamer has done this enough times that…

she taught her puppies to do it, too!

Jay and I thought we’d be clever.

We figured that the puppies could finally have water nearby if we put the bowl of water in with the puppies when Dreamer was taking a break outside.

OH NO!!

We were wrong.

Again. *smirk

Because yesterday morning PATRICK took the bowl in his mouth and dragged it away… just like his momma did!

I could hardly believe my eyes!

When I put it back in the corner, Patrick went right back and tried to drag it away again.

That was when I finally got the clue.

That stainless steel water bowl is just not able to be used.

And that’s that!

Now I don’t know what’s up with that particular bowl.

Maybe Dreamer thinks water shouldn’t be allowed in with the puppies.

Or perhaps there is some sort of spiritual canine thing she’s sensing.

Like she believes it’s evil.

Or maybe there is a high-pitched sound or vibration that humans can’t hear when the bowl is filled with water.

But whatever it is, Dreamer knows something is definitely strange about it.

And that’s enough for me.

The weather has finally warmed up to the forties at night, so the puppies have finally transitioned permanently to the outside cedar cabin area.

We are now actively helping the puppies learn all about balance, patience, and being brave.

Each day we place one puppy at a time on a wobble board, which is the first step to learning how to navigate stairs.

We also set them down at the entrance to a colorful tunnel, which is the first step to learning to be in enclosed spaces. (i.e. crates, cars)

Then we practice Lap Therapy™ to help the puppies learn to yield to humans and wait for a verbal release. (We use the word “okay”)

All of this beginning training gets them ready for their new homes, which will be happening in three weeks time.

There is no time to lose.

Two puppies in this exceptional litter remain without forever homes.

If you have been approved and want a shot at these sweet, loving puppies, reply to this email and let me know.

In order to become approved, you must complete our puppy adoption questionnaire. Here’s the link:

https://direwolfdogs.com/puppy-application/

Jennifer Stoeckl is the co-founder of the Dire Wolf Project, founder of the DireWolf Guardians American Dirus Dog Training Program, and owner/operator of DireWolf Dogs of Vallecito. She lives in the beautiful inland northwest among the Ponderosa pine forests with her pack of American Dirus dogs.

Mama Dreamer

Patrick learns quickly.

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