A few months ago, I got a call from our friend and long-time client Patrick. He told me his sweet Chocolate Lab, Doc, was shredding things while he was away at work. Knowing that certain ingredients in dog food can agitate a dog, I was curious what kind of dog food he was fed. I asked Pat, “What is he eating?” “Paper!”, he said.
Turns out he’s on a good food, so we talked a little about boredom being a possible culprit, and suggested he increase Doc’s level of exercise. I see his wife Kristi often, as she is my PT at this wonderful place called Hands On Physical Therapy. Kristi didn’t mention anything for weeks, so I thought things with Doc were improving.
Then this week, Kristi said she had something to show me. Turns out Doc was still devouring paper, and this time, he had truly outdone himself. Turns out his most recent snack was a book. Not just any book, but a dog-training book. Can you make out the title on the binding?
Is that crazy? Doc likes to eat books that teach how to live with a neurotic dog! Is this a self-diagnosis? He is a “Doc” after all. Talk about devouring the information! Sweet Doc just can’t get enough - I cannot WAIT to see what he reads next! Doc, if you’re reading this, please know that we love you just the way you are. Try to stay off the cardboard though, please?