Melvin hates the rain. Jake doesn’t love the rain but he is easier to coerce outside, probably because he thinks squirrels and frogs and birds are still out there, despite the water falling. But Melvin, he does not even care if a giant-peanut-butter-covered-steak-dinner-with-fries is at the end of the driveway – homeboy don’t like getting wet.
This wetness issue has grown in scope lately, as Fall has arrived, the grass is chilly and damp each morning. Thus, Melvin refuses to walk on it. He will stand on the sidewalk, look at the grass, decide it looks wet, look back at me, then the grass, then me, repeat, repeat, repeat. If I somehow manage to ‘nudge’ him into the grass, he freezes, unable to move. He then tip toes back to the sidewalk, almost as if the grass is hot coals. Once he’s to safety, the staring starts again.
The biggest issue of all is that: he has to ‘go’ and he knows he has to ‘go’. Although he won’t go into the grass, he also won’t head back inside either. So I do what any NORMAL dog person would do, I verbally plead with him. I head into the damp, wet grass. I plead some more, often with treats. And then, I have to play the one card I know he can’t ignore. I lean down and I show Jake affection, just Jake, in public. Boom, Melvin in grass, doing what he needs to do just to make the madness stop.
I’m genius. The end. Have a great weekend!
Oh my gosh, that’s hilarious. Dude can’t let his brother upstage him.
Just the thought of it gives him courage to triumph over wetness!
Haha! At least Melvin has his priorities straight 🙂
And then some!
HAHA – so funny. These guys never disappoint!
Tess has this same adversion! In the winter when show in on the back patio, she’ll just go far enough to get to the covered part to do her business…no chance of her going out into the real snow!
I am starting to think I will eventually have to carry artificial turf around!
Wouldn’t that be a sight to see!!
Melvin I think you might be related somehow to Boomer, he tip toes through grass when he thinks he might get a sticker or something in his paw. It’s so funny to watch such a large dog prancing around!
Yes! Exactly!
I love it!
I know! Me too.
Lu is pretty much the same. Never thought about taking the cat out with me…that will get her moving. Thanks for the idea. Lol
Hhahahahahah, yes, walk the cat with you!
Aww sweet PRINCE Melvin dont get your footies wet!
Exactly, I should get him a royal cloak!
Maize is the SAME WAY. She also refuses to walk through puddles. Love me some Melvin!
They were made for each other!
Oh Melvin! I know that look! I love the wet. It’s good for rolling in. All the good smells come right up with that wet stuff. Maybe you should get Melvin some boots to keep his toes dry?
Boots were part of his Halloween costume last year and we found out that he has a mental block when they are on his feet — he can’t walk or move!
I can relate to that. They make me dance.
However did you manage when you didn’t have Jake XD
That is why we got Jake, just to get Melvin into grass!