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Megan Willome

31 Days of Dogs, 10/21

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I woke up this morning thinking about the classic Golden Book “The Poky Little Puppy.” You know, the one about the five little puppies who dug a hole under the fence and went for a walk in “the wide, wide world.” And every time they get to where they’re going, one little puppy isn’t there. He’s always doing something else.

Each time, the other four puppies are punished for sneaking out and as a result, do not get any dessert, but the Poky Little Puppy always gets off scot-free because he comes in later than the others and eats all their desserts. Why anyone would give puppies rice pudding or chocolate custard is beyond me, but then again, the book was written in 1942.

Finally, fate catches up with the Poky Little Puppy, as fate always does. In the end, his siblings get strawberry shortcake, and he goes to bed hungry and dejected. When he wakes up, there is a new sign: “NO DESSERTS EVER UNLESS PUPPIES NEVER DIG HOLES UNDER THIS FENCE AGAIN!”

I’m thinking of putting up a sign between our yard and Scout’s. As you all have noticed, there has been much digging, and if I’m not careful, I’ll step in one of these massive holes in the early dark of morning and sprain an ankle. Of course, I’m not sure that Polo and Clover can read, as apparently all the dogs can in “The Poky Little Puppy.”

I wish it were as simple as putting up a sign and withholding dessert. Real dog ownership is a bit more complicated.

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  1. Why are all my nostalgia/ache triggers coming all at once? First I hear a Michael McDonald/Doobie Brothers song on grocery-store muzak, and then there’s this “childhood ache” prompt at Tweetspeak, and now The Poky LIttle Puppy here.

    One of these days, I have got to deal with this.

  2. I read a lot of Golden books in my day, but that one I don’t remember. And I have to tell you that that picture yesterday about did me in, for the exact same worry that you expressed – your stepping into one of those holes and breaking/tearing something. Ouch. You could try writing a sign, though I, with you, doubt very much that they will read it. :>)