Sorry, I am reposting this item in plaintext. I've had a few people point out that most likely Benny didn't know what he did - or even that he was the one who did something, but only that he didn't like me yelling and grumbling. Thanks for that insight - I can see in retrospect that he was having the same reaction he's always had to any arguement or loud noises in our house - which is usually a reminder to us to chill out or calm down. I guess it was just wishful thinking to think that he could read my mind.
Also, some suggestions were made re keeping him occupied. He does have lots of toys, kongs, and balls that he plays with often. He was fine today - so maybe this is just one of those bad days he had. (Of course today - he was barely only for any time since I went in very late and with school getting out early for more snow!) Jill Kramer - and Benny (who was quicklky back in my good favor - I can't be made at that face for very long at all) Baltimore, MD ----- Original Message ----- From: Jill To: Bernese Mountain Dog Mailing List Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2003 10:46 PM Subject: Re: Histio Roll Call and eating plants Wow, Jean! You should have included a "kleenex warning" with your posting of this site. What a beautiful site and what beautiful dogs and tributes! I was moved to tears and I'm sure others will be too. On another topic, if I HAD a dog house, Benny would be in it tonight. Today, I came home from work to find that Benny had eaten a small plant on the windowsill behind my new (a couple months old) expensive couch and pulled the remaining pot of dirt and the bare stalk of a plant down onto the couch. My first worry was (besides my couch) that the plant was poisonous. I'm embarrassed to say that I have no idea what type of plant this was (I don't have a green thumb and it was a gift.) and it seems almost impossible to track without leaves. I know it wasn't the ones I am positive of being poisonous (like poinsettas) because I know better and would never have one of those, but I remember a pretty long list posted not too long ago of non-edible plants for dogs. Can I assume if he's had no reaction yet that he's ok? It had to be before 3:45 pm that he did this and it's 10:30 pm now. He seems absolutely fine, so I hate to take him to the emergency vet. How long do you think I need to keep a close eye on him in case of some reaction? Second, though I cannot believe he did this. He's had a few episodes where he's eaten things he shouldn't have - a doll, a stuffed animal, cookies, etc. But, that plant has been in the same spot for 2 years and he's often been staying inside all day with the run of the house for a couple years now without getting into ANY trouble during the day (the other incidents occurred when someone accidently left something on the floor or right under his nose at night while we slept - it was always obvious why he thought he could eat the item when we thought about it). What made him suddenly eat the plant? Could he be sick? Could he have cabin fever due to not having the space to run in the yard due to the snow? When I reacted loudly and in shock, he definitely seemed to know right away that he was the one who had done something wrong - he ran into the other room very quickly, slinking low to the ground and looking ashamed. He does know that on top of that couch is the only place in the house where he's not allowed. We do have another couch that he's free to lay on - and he knows that, too. Also, there are certainly other plants he can easily reach - should I be moving them out of his reach (as if there's anywhere in the house that's really out of his reach)? I'll be doing a search on archives to find that list and triple checking to be sure none I have are poisonous (even though I THOUGHT I'd given it a cursory check before when I first saw the list). Any other ideas/advice? Jill Kramer and Benny (3 years old) Baltimore, MD
