This is about
Termite, who started out life as "Jaycee" as a puppy growing
out as a show hopeful. Then after I purchased him from Wistwin
Shelties as a companion he became "Jesse." That name lasted
long enough for him to do at least a $1,000 worth of damage to our new
deck. More $$ to the living room carpet and he also chewed on the
wires leading into our house from the AC unit. It's a wonder Termite
wasn't fried from that chewing escapade. However, this Sheltie has
nine lives. You're probably thinking that Termite is bored, no, he has
5 other playmates to keep him occupied and I also play Kong ball with
him when the weather is nice.
Oh, Termite has a
huge Nylabone to chew on when in the exercise yard in hopes that he
will leave the deck alone. That worked temporarily. Just seems the boy
likes wood! We've tried white vinegar on the deck in places he
frequently chews. Next, it was suggested we try hot sauce. He actually
liked that! So we're going to try a product made from Rosemary and
Sodium Bicarbonate to alleviate his penchant for Termite like
behavior. That didn't work either!!
When we picked up
Termite he wasn't use to walking on a lead like my other dogs. He'd
pose just fine, but needed lots of encouragement to walk along
comfortably. So when I got him home he immediately started wearing a
thin 4 ft. lead all the time except when crated obviously. No longer
does Termite mind walking on lead.
One other interesting
behavior that Termite has is chasing across the yard after airplanes
that dare invade his air space. He also doesn't like helicopters. Loud
sounds like the AC unit cutting on also bother him. He isn't scared of
them they just set him off into a paroxysm of barking. Termite is
debarked, but believe me you'd never know it. We would honestly have
preferred he have his full voice. All he can do is a loud "arf."
Oh, he also arfs when my dad starts his truck or the neighbors do the
same with their vehicles. Termite is an interesting Sheltie to say the
least.
Did I mention
Termite's delight in sticking his head up to his eyes in the water
bucket if there is ice in it. We wondered why in the world was the dog
soaked from his eyes to his ruff one day, until we found out he was
snorkeling in the water bucket. Strange little dog indeed!
Now
please do not get the impression we dislike Termite. Hardly, he just
has a lot of quirks that's all. I thought they were interesting enough
to put on his page. I'd love to hear from other Sheltie owners whose
dogs also have similar quirks and what were some of the ways in which
you dealt with them. Email
me please with your solutions.
One
very positive attribute of Termite is his sweet, melt your heart
temperament. He also loves Chase and I hope they will grow up together
as pals, since they are my youngest Shelties. Termite would let you
pet him all day as well. Attention is something he thrives on for
certain! When not outside, he can be found closest to me, either at my
feet when on the computer or stretched on my bed snoozing with his
head on the pillow. So you see, even with all of his quirks, we do
love Termite and wouldn't trade him for the world.
Termite
at 14 months old.
Termite
July 12, 2008 above and below.
