Thursday, April 29, 2010

He Otter Know Better

Alfie's in love...with an otter.  A sweet, soft, furry plush otter that has lived peacefully in our family for years...until now!
plush, chocolate-brown stuffed otter propped up against the wall; it has a cute white face but its left ear has been gnawed off
Note to viewers:  This otter HAD a left ear...until yesterday!

Alfie developed otter envy just recently and first attempted the direct approach to attain his prize: barking at the otter owner (Katharine). When he saw that she wasn't about to be pushed around by a puppy, he resorted to thievery, snagging the otter when her back was turned. That might've worked, but later I noticed that every time I walked by where Alf lay on his dog bed he was suspiciously still. This is abnormal behavior for him...usually when I walk past he pops up and follows me instantly. Definitely hiding something! I very unceremoniously removed his prize, returned it to Katharine, and told him, in no uncertain terms, that he must "leave it!"

Alfie sitting alertly, otter next to his feet, a serious look on his face
I would never harm this otter, I swear!

Here's where it gets interesting. You see, just last week, Alfie got in trouble for grabbing the metal plug out of the tub and frolicking around the house with it. So his little furry brain has figured out: they like the plug. And: I like the otter. So he hops into the tub, grabs the plug, trots over to Katharine with it, and lays it gently on her lap. She looks at him, puzzled...he noses the plug toward her again, then gazes loooongingly at the otter (hint, hint!) His logic was plain: I have something you want...you have something I want...let's trade!!

Alfie's got a lot to learn though...you see, his plan broke down on 2 points: 1) Katharine, personally, could care less about the bathtub plug -- especially compared to her beloved otter; and 2) I, personally, have watched enough action movies to know: You never deal with terrorists! Or (I'm sure) puppies acting like terrorists! Nice try, Alfie, but all this clever trick earned you was several rounds of puppy pushups and a loss of freedom.  (Tethering a puppy to you for a few hours works wonders, in my experience.)

But uh...I'll admit...I couldn't help laughing!  Just a bit.

closeup of Alfie's brown face resting on the floor by the backdoor
Ummm...just trying to work out...are they laughing WITH me or AT me?!

5 comments:

Infrequent Flyers said...

Oh my gosh, Alfie is one smart cookie! He needs to go into politics or maybe the CIA as a double agent. He's is too smart for his own good!

Beth and Alfie said...

Haha, he'd be quite a wheeler/dealer either way! ;-) He's going to grow up and put those brains to SUCH good use as a guide dog...I just know it...

Amanda said...

Sometimes I think guide dogs are too smart for their own good. Alfie is an intelligent pup! Thank you for a good laugh. :)

duckdog said...

i needed that laugh!! i love this pup!! and his clever little brain!

Sierra Rose said...

Alfie! You are one clever pup! Great tactics. Smart! I think there is going to be a follow up to this post...we'll see what bargaining chips you find. :)

Hugs and snaggle-tooth kisses,
Sierra Rose