August 27, 2003
a pet peevePosted by Bryan
dartbox posts (no permalinks...it under "dogs don't savor food") the observation that....well, dogs don't savor food.
this astute declaration compells me to ask why do we even flavor dog food anyway? I've grown up with many, many dogs. And many, many times, I've seen dogs stop to dine on a cow patty, only to hurl it up later and then....yep....chow down once more. So if is what a canine is willing to do, why are we so worried if Fido is getting Steak Tartar kibble or Chicken Bisque Canned Cuisine? It wouldn't matter if you packaged it up as Balls O' Sawdust or Glue Factory Leftovers in a Can, I'd hazard the guess that Lassie would gulp it down just the same, without even pausing to savor the flavor.
And how do we know that just because Alpo calls it "Chicken Flavor," it really is chicken flavor? If you believe this, you're probably the same people who invested in WorldCom or believed the tobacco executives when they said nicotine wasn't addictive. But really, who's going to put Kibbles-n-Bits to the taste test? I'm afraid I'm just going to have to take their word for it. But some of these things are going a little too far...like the dog who thinks he smells bacon, goes into a bacon-jonesing frenzy, and then despairingly laments the fact that he can't read....that dog doesn't need bacon, he needs Zoloft.
and have you ever noticed that Combos look scarily similar to puppy snacks?
It is for this reason that I refrain from indulging. That, and if i do indulge, I find myself attempting to scratch that persistent itch behind my ear....with my foot.
one more thing...if you have a dog that you'd classify as "finicky," i just want to gently tell you that your pooch has finally succeeded in getting you to be well trained. I say if Old Roy isn't good enough for Spot, then he can forage for his own supper. It won't take too many missed meals before the family pet decides the woody-but-nourishing dry compound is an acceptable alternative to his previously-elitist dining requirements.