Zuni: A Nut and Her Nut

It's always interesting to watch which toy(s) new fosters decide is absolutely spectacular. Soon after arriving they find the big low toy basket and start digging around. Some love them all, but some, like Zuni, find one in particular that they think is just amazing. Often it's a toy the other dogs in the house had completely forgotten existed.

For Zuni this toy is the Ruff Dawg "Wee Nut". There is something about the texture and give of this toy when chewed on that makes it a favorite of puppies. Well the night that Zuni discovered the nut she could not put it down. She was a bit worried that Frodo would try to steal it so at first she decided to lie next to Troy with it so that she could hide behind his legs if Frodo came near. Anytime Frodo or I glanced in her direction she'd hurriedly scurry behind his legs and peek out to see if we were still watching.

When she discovered that Frodo could care less about her peanut, she went to see what he was up to, nut in tow.

She knew by experience that Frodo does not "play" so she stood there and stared at him for awhile, practicing her newly learned self control. That lasted a few seconds but then she couldn't stop herself and had to try to get him to play anyhow. Frodo was not amused but I thought it was hilarious.

After she was told off by Frodo she loped around the room a few times and when Frodo and I decided to play fetch, she thought that was an incredibly fun game. She joined in the chase, not really caring about the ball but just enjoying getting to chase Frodo around without getting scolded by him. The nut never left her mouth.

Finally after a long evening of chewing and chasing, it was time for bed so off she went to her crate with it's pile of chew items: antler, bone, nylabone, squeaky gummy bear...and of course, her peanut.