=SIGH=

I thought that one of the reasons that people chose dogs rather than kids was so that they didn't have to deal with crap like this....

Here's the thing. Bingo has been on semi-hunger strike since the Op'. This is because the first two meals he had afterward were canned food, and he really quite likes canned food and would like to be given canned food all the time, rather than the dry stuff that I give him (which is boring by comparison); so when it came to being given dry food again, he turned his nose up. And this wouldn't be a problem normally - he's a Labrador. The longest he's lasted without cracking so far in his 8.5 years is four meals worth - but for the fact that he is taking strong painkillers that need to be taken with food, and the little slice of ham that I squirt it on (my word, that stuff smells BAD. Ham is the only thing that disguises the taste) doesn't really count. So it's important that he eats. But to give him canned food all the time - to make sure he could have his painkiller - would upset his stomach, as it is used to dry food and can't cope with anything else for long; even two meals' worth caused problems. So what to do? Well, I stood firm and gave him dry food (which he didn't eat), then at the risk of him being sick I gave him the ham soaked in painkiller anyway (which thankfully, he wasn't). Dinner time rolled around and I put his bowl back down, and he whined at me and paced, and still didn't eat it.
    Cue this morning. I gave him a fresh lot of dry food (or at least, he thought it was), and he looked at it, then sighed, then started to walk away. Oh HELL no. I was pissed off, now.
    Standing in his way, I told him, firmly, that I wanted him to eat at least a bit of his breakfast so that I could give him his painkiller and not worry that he might be sick. I didn't think that would work, to be honest, but with another pained sigh he turned back round and made his way back to the bowl.
    Once there he gave me a sideways glance - to see if I was still there - and I folded my arms, adopting a defiant stance. It was the same stance that I had seen various parents take up to combat their child's stubbornness; except that in this case, instead of a stubborn child I had a stubborn 8 and a half year old dog. And instead of a plate full of vegetables to chow down, the battle was over a bowl full of Bakers Complete.
    He whined a little and pouted to see if I would back down, which garnered the raised eye-browed response of "no, I won't". And I meant it. The little sod KNEW what I wanted him to do, and I KNEW that he was hungry; after nearly forty-eight hours he had to be*. The food was good - even though it wasn't what he wanted - and was the best thing for him, and damn it; I wasn't moving till he ate something.
    Well, he sighed again and picked up one piece of dry food, which he carefully placed on the floor beside the bowl (that's normal; he always does this). Then, after giving me another sideways glance - yes, I was still there - he gave a third sigh, the biggest I had ever heard him give, and ate it. Then he looked at me again.
    That was good, I told him, but I'd like him to eat at least a few mouthfuls.
    Another sigh. Another piece carefully placed to one side and then eaten - does anyone know why he might do that?? - and another reproachful glare, sigh and whine in my direction.
    Despite these impressive theatrics and sound effects, I remained unmoved; and though the process was repeated five times with five separate pieces of food before he finally gave way and got stuck in, give way and get stuck in he did.
    I spoke words of encouragement while keeping my arm folded position in the hallway - I knew that if I moved the bugger would abandon the idea - until he had eaten the whole thing, then I made a big fuss of him and he got his 'reward' of ham soaked in medicine and a cuddle on the sofa.
   He is now sleeping peacefully on his bed, with a nice full belly.

...Bloody HELL...

=shakes head=

Alice xxx

* I just want to point out in case anybody thinks me cruel that not only is Bakers Complete the best food for him - I repeat; for HIM. No criticism intended to anybody regarding what they feed their dog. Dietary needs differ from one to another - but there IS a nice bone in the house at all times - in this case a knuckle bone, which for the most part he ignores unless truly bored - should he get peckish. I was not starving my dog into submission. Or at least, I was, obviously, that was the whole point; but at the same time there was another food source available.