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| Name: |
Termite
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Age: |
Two and a half years old
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| Gender: |
Male |
Breed: |
Shetland Sheepdog |
| Home: |
Virginia, USA |
This
is Termite, who started out life as "Jaycee" as a puppy growing out
as a show hopeful. Then after I purchased him as a companion at eight months
of age he became "Jesse." That name lasted long enough for him to do at
least a $1,000 worth of damage to our new deck, more $$ to the living
room carpet and he also chewed on the wires leading into our house from
the AC unit. It's a wonder Termite wasn't fried from that chewing
escapade. However, this Sheltie has nine lives. You're probably thinking
that Termite is bored, no, he has five other playmates to keep him occupied
and I also play Kong ball with him when the weather is nice.
Oh, Termite has a huge Nylabone to chew on when in the exercise yard in
hopes that he will leave the deck alone. That worked temporarily. Just
seems the boy likes wood! We've tried white vinegar on the deck in
places he frequently chews. Next, it was suggested we try hot sauce. He
actually liked that! So we tried a product made from Rosemary
and Sodium Bicarbonate to alleviate his penchant for termite-like
behavior. That didn't work either!!
When we picked up Termite he wasn't use to walking on a lead like my
other dogs. He'd pose just fine, but needed lots of encouragement to
walk along comfortably. So when I got him home he immediately started
wearing a thin, 4 ft. lead all the time, except when crated obviously. No
longer does Termite mind walking on lead.
One other interesting behavior that Termite has is chasing across the
yard after airplanes that dare invade his air space. He also doesn't
like helicopters. Loud sounds like the AC unit cutting on also bother
him. He isn't scared of the, they just set him off into a paroxysm of
barking. Termite was debarked, but believe me you'd never know it. We
would honestly have preferred he have his full voice. All he can do is a
loud "arf."
Did I mention Termite's delight in sticking his head up to his eyes in
the water bucket if there is ice in it. We wondered why in the world was
the dog soaked from his eyes to his ruff one day, until we found out he
was snorkeling in the water bucket. Strange little dog indeed!
Now, please do not get the impression we dislike Termite. Hardly, he
just has a lot of quirks, that's all. One very positive attribute of
Termite is his sweet, melt your heart temperament. He also loves Chase
and I hope they will grow up together as pals, since they are my
youngest Shelties. Termite would let you pet him all day as well.
Attention is something he thrives on for certain! When not outside, he
can be found closest to me, either at my feet when on the computer or
stretched on my bed snoozing with his head on the pillow. So you see,
even with all of his quirks, we do love Termite and wouldn't trade him
for the world.
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