Pet Corner

• Jun 15, 2006 10:48 am US/Central
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  They Grow Up So Fast

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They Grow Up So Fast

The birds and the bees and the puppies

People are often under the misconception that working at a dog daycare means petting dogs all day. Nothing could be further from the truth. If you think the antics and energy of one dog keeps you on your toes, try one hundred. And just when you think you've seen it all, the dogs prove otherwise.

For instance, just a few weeks ago, it was pick-up time at daycare and one of the employees, Monica, heard a shriek behind her. She ran over to investigate. When she didn't come back right away, Brenda, the evening manager, went over to see what was wrong.

"I don't understand" Monica said, staring down at Debbie, a nine month old Schnoodle, and Roger a 6 month old mixed breed.

"Oh my God!" Brenda gasped in horror. "They're joined!"

Now, Debbie is only about twelve pounds, and Roger about six. But it would have been impossible to separate them without causing pain and injury to both dogs, because when dogs mate, they "tie" together. There is no choice but to let them finish.

By this time the lobby was filling up with people because with Monica and Brenda at the scene of the crime, there were only two employees to help the customers.

Brenda did not want all the customers to witness Roger and Debbie's crime of passion, so she scooped them up, still joined, and trying to keep her back to the lobby full of people, rushed them into the office. On her way in, she heard a voice from the lobby scream "Oh my God!"

Once the mood had been ruined by this intrusion, Debbie started racing around the office. Roger's feet didn't even touch the ground as he rode along behind her. (So he digs the larger ladies. Who can blame him?) Finally, the swelling went down and Brenda was able to remove Roger. The look in his eyes clearly said, "Do you have a cigarette?" He was neutered two days later.

We learned from Debbie's parents that she had been in season 3 weeks prior and the vet had assured them she would be fine in a playgroup. He neglected to mention a bath before hand, to wash off her "come-and-get-me" hormonal perfume, would have been advisable.

I was aghast that two puppies under the age of one year old would be so sexually advanced. I guess there is no such thing as innocence anymore. I blame television.

Before this incident, our policy at Downtown Dogs is that dogs over one year old have to be spayed or neutered. We now have a six month deadline seeing as they start so young these days.