The Big Ragu

Some dogs have expensive taste in their food; others will only eat store-brand dog food.  My dog likes Poopsicles.

It probably started a couple of months ago:  Carmine got fixated on some fresh poop and kept trying to eat it.  Gross, I thought. I knew some puppies eat their own poop, but not Carmine. He was never interested in his own poop and I guess that’s good, but he did get interested one fall morning in the dog park.  Must’ve been a delicacy because he lapped that up before I could stop him. An hour later, he had diarrhea.  It happened randomly and I never thought much of it.  Of course everyone who saw him eat it had to offer their opinion and tell me he had a vitamin deficiency.  Well maybe but I don’t know.  And a few friends suggested I feed him an hour so before we go to the park.  Good advice so I took it. It did not work. If I caught Carmine in the act and yelled at him whenever it happened, he would stop.  Of course the problem would be solved if everyone picked up after their dogs, but I guess that’s too much to ask.

Then last weekend, we were at the dog park and he was running around and actually ignoring some of the poop.  And there was a lot of poop; not fresh but frozen.  I called them Poopsicles.  I was relieved as he ignored the icy treats. And then it happened: Carmine became fixated and determined to taste every Poopsicle in the dog park!! Who knows maybe in the doggy world it’s like Italian Ices to us:  I prefer Chocolate; my mom likes Lemon; and some like Cherry. Either way it was frustrating trying to stop him.  Especially when I would command “Leave It!!” and he would for the first, second, and third time.  Then the fourth time he would look at me as if to say “Thanks for the treats but I’m craving a Poopsicle” and he would grab a piece and eat it.  Yuck. I was totally grossed out by my own dog especially when we got home and he tried to kiss me.  Oh no you don’t. I turned away. 

Coincidentally, the Dog Whisperer episode last week was about a dog that ate everything in sight including its own poop.  And Cesar said the dog is either bored or vitamin deficient.  SIGH.  But he did present a possible solution - enticing the dog with a banana whenever it was attracted to and about to eat poop.  A-HA! Maybe that’s what I need to do.  

So the next time Carmine and I go to the dog park, I’ll be carrying a water bottle and a banana.  As he goes towards the Poopsicle, I’ll squirt him to distract him then wave a piece of banana in front of his nose just like Cesar did.  And if that doesn’t work, then I’ll be the crazy lady putting Tabasco sauce on all the Poopsicles in the dog park!!!