Q & A with a Super Hero: Animal Instincts
7/11/14
I've been trying to figure out for a long time exactly what it is about the dog that makes Jake go bonkers. Sam is a little dog, doesn't shed, doesn't have dander, a perfect breed for sensitive souls. But there is something, just something about Sam.
I wondered if it's his doggy smell, the barking, the sounds, his too-close proximity to Jake. Literally years I think the reasons cycle, but on this given day the answer is his tongue and lack of control!
Tell me about animals.
They are pretty hard.
What’s hard about them?
Hard to focus when they are near.
All animals?
Yes.
The cats didn’t used to bother you.
No, Bruno and Crusher.
What’s different with Sam?
He licks people and I don’t like it.
What if he didn’t lick? Would you like him then?
Yes.
Is it the fear of getting licked or the sound licking makes?
A little bit of both.
Even if he is licking his water?
Yes.
Do you think Sam smells bad?
Yes.
Have you ever been close enough to smell him?
No.
Why do you kick Sam?
Because I don’t like him.
What exactly don’t you like?
He licks and he sniffs.
So what if he sniffs?
And he makes tasting noises, like people eating… tasting the air.
Oh he wants your food?
Yes.
Do you like to pet Sam?
Not really… sometimes.
If I don’t let him lick?
Yes.
How does he feel?
Happy.
Does it relax you to pet the dog?
Yes.
So really, you are torn… you like him but can’t handle him.
Yes.
Do you worry about Sam?
Yes.
What do you think when he barks?
I tell him to be quiet. It's annoying.
Does it make excited?
Yes.
Does it make you too excited?
The same thing as dad.
So you get upset when Sam barks because of our reaction to Sam?
Yes because you yell and dad says, "Ssssaaaammmmm!" and I want to repeat after him!
So if Sam didn't lick, didn't eat, didn't bark, didn't sniff, he'd be ok?
YES!
Would he still be a dog?
Yep, but he'd just be like a robot I can control! So I can just think in my brain and he'll move when I want him to.
(Eureka)
So part of this, is that you can't control him? Is that part of your problem with Sam?
Yes.
Your inability to control, ehy?
Yes.
Do you like any animals?
I like horses and elephants.
Do you like any animals to be in our house?
Nope. I think my animals here are rotten because they lick.
We are going to practice petting Sam every day, okay?
Yep.
You can get a cheese stick.
Good night!
7/11/14
I've been trying to figure out for a long time exactly what it is about the dog that makes Jake go bonkers. Sam is a little dog, doesn't shed, doesn't have dander, a perfect breed for sensitive souls. But there is something, just something about Sam.
I wondered if it's his doggy smell, the barking, the sounds, his too-close proximity to Jake. Literally years I think the reasons cycle, but on this given day the answer is his tongue and lack of control!
Tell me about animals.
They are pretty hard.
What’s hard about them?
Hard to focus when they are near.
All animals?
Yes.
The cats didn’t used to bother you.
No, Bruno and Crusher.
What’s different with Sam?
He licks people and I don’t like it.
What if he didn’t lick? Would you like him then?
Yes.
Is it the fear of getting licked or the sound licking makes?
A little bit of both.
Even if he is licking his water?
Yes.
Do you think Sam smells bad?
Yes.
Have you ever been close enough to smell him?
No.
Why do you kick Sam?
Because I don’t like him.
What exactly don’t you like?
He licks and he sniffs.
So what if he sniffs?
And he makes tasting noises, like people eating… tasting the air.
Oh he wants your food?
Yes.
Do you like to pet Sam?
Not really… sometimes.
If I don’t let him lick?
Yes.
How does he feel?
Happy.
Does it relax you to pet the dog?
Yes.
So really, you are torn… you like him but can’t handle him.
Yes.
Do you worry about Sam?
Yes.
What do you think when he barks?
I tell him to be quiet. It's annoying.
Does it make excited?
Yes.
Does it make you too excited?
The same thing as dad.
So you get upset when Sam barks because of our reaction to Sam?
Yes because you yell and dad says, "Ssssaaaammmmm!" and I want to repeat after him!
So if Sam didn't lick, didn't eat, didn't bark, didn't sniff, he'd be ok?
YES!
Would he still be a dog?
Yep, but he'd just be like a robot I can control! So I can just think in my brain and he'll move when I want him to.
(Eureka)
So part of this, is that you can't control him? Is that part of your problem with Sam?
Yes.
Your inability to control, ehy?
Yes.
Do you like any animals?
I like horses and elephants.
Do you like any animals to be in our house?
Nope. I think my animals here are rotten because they lick.
We are going to practice petting Sam every day, okay?
Yep.
You can get a cheese stick.
Good night!
