The Dog Ate My Homework

Not sure where the phrase came from originally, but the excuse “the dog ate my homework” is currently used as a silly excuse for why work isn’t finished. It would be unusual for someone to say, “the dog ate my homework” and expect it to be taken literally. In my case, the dog really did eat my homework.

Charlie, our golden retriever/chow-chow mix, chewed up paper. He liked most paper, but had a preference for yellow legal pads and on occasion chewed up my work notes and ideas. I also like yellow legal pads and had a habit of not securing them in best places to keep them out of his reach.

Charlie was a rescue that we fostered for a week and ended up adopting. It was a good match for both of us. We were ready for a new dog, he needed a new home.

^{Charlie with his unusual black tongue}

Charlie needed training desperately. He was aggressive to strangers and other dogs, and chased everything that moved. He ate or chewed everything. After working with a trainer, we discovered his aggression was fear. Eventually he was better, especially when he was around us and felt safe.

As for chasing, that got better too and he learned to walk on a leash and obey commands. For a long time, we carried a spatula smeared with liver sausage when we walked. When we saw a car, bike or scooter, we would take out the spatula and when Charlie sat and looked at us, he was allowed to lick. Eventually we were able to walk without the spatula, and used treats as incentives. He was very responsive to treats.

Because he loved to chase so much, we took him lure coursing at a local track. No one had to show him what to do, he just took off. He loved it so much. He couldn’t wait for his turn, and he would have run forever if we had let him.

Although training cured most of his bad habits, we never could stop him from chewing on paper. Even a piece of cheese and a little patience with lots of toys and attention didn’t help. I think he did understand, but just couldn’t help himself. Just like some people, he had poor impulse control.

Celebrating Pigs

Last week Wednesday, March 1, was National Pig Day.

So, I wondered, just what are we appreciating? Is it our cute heroes Babe, Wilbur, Piglet or even Miss Piggy? Is it what they have to offer – bacon, spare ribs and ham? Or is it pot bellied pig pets?

Turns out, not exactly any of these choices.

From Wikipedia:

National Pig Day is an event held annually on March 1 in the United States to celebrate the pig. The holiday celebration was started in 1972 by sisters Ellen Stanley, a teacher in Lubbock, Texas, and Mary Lynne Rave of Beaufort, North Carolina. According to Rave the purpose of National Pig Day is “to accord the pig its rightful, though generally unrecognized, place as one of man’s most intellectual and domesticated animals.” 

National Pig Day includes events at zoos, schools, nursing homes, and sporting events around the United States. It is also recognized at “pig parties” where pink pig punch and pork delicacies are served, and pink ribbon pigtails are tied around trees in the pigs’ honor. The question of whether the holiday is a time to honor pigs by “giving them a break” or to appreciate their offerings (spare ribs, bacon and ham) is an open question.

A lot of my ancestors were farmers, and they kept livestock, so I get the domesticated part. My great-uncle Lucius had pigs on his farm. When we visited, I always stayed away from the pigs. They were dirty and smelly, but mostly they were mean and scary.

Are they smart? I don’t know. Babe and Wilbur seem pretty smart and Piglet is a wise little guy. But regular pigs, I don’t have clue. Do guinea pigs count? My niece has guinea pigs and they are loving and smart. They are also soft and furry like cats and like to cuddle. I could be wrong, but I don’t think pigs cuddle.

I know some people keep pigs as pets and they love them as much as I love dogs and cats, but I don’t get it. I don’t understand spiders and snakes as pets either. We did have a worm farm for a science project once, but they weren’t pets and when the experiment was finished, my son used the worms for fishing bait.

Even though I would never pick a spider, snake or even a bird as a pet, when it comes right down to it, we all just need something to love. Loving and caring for something is what makes us human. Studies show owning a pet is good for our health and improves our quality of life.

So, if a pig makes you happy, go for it. As for me, I’ll stick to cats and dogs and on National Pig Day, I’ll celebrate by pigging out, maybe with bacon and spare ribs.