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.
