Posted: Jun 14, 2018 6:28 am
by Fallible
Zebedee the dog became orientation officer to Charlie the dog when he arrived here. We observed Zebedee taking Charlie on a tour of the house and grounds, showing him how to dig and where, where the birds live, where to wait to hear other dogs walking past, how to jump up at the living room window using the sill to rest on, how to open the living room door. He even taught him to bark. Greyhounds don't normally do this, but we now have a massive black greyhound with the voice of a small carrot. Zebedee knows about 10 different phrases which all mean he's being asked if he wants to go outside. He can apparently tell the time. He's not managing this by light conditions - he knows when it's 7.00, 4.30 and 9.30 whatever time of year it happens to be. He has become known as Nurse Zebedee, due to his ability to know who is feeling unwell or low, and administering special attention to them. Charlie, although not as bright, is no slouch. He knows how to play to Zeb's weaknesses in order to get what he wants. If Zeb is reclining on a bed which Charlie wishes to use, he begins pretending he wants to play. Zebedee's whole raison d'ĂȘtre is to play. As soon as he gets up to join in, Charlie steals his place.