Saturday 26 December 2020

Do dogs have a conscience?


Do you like to start the day with a good stretch?

I do. I think it sets one up just perfectly for whatever the next 24 hours might have in store.

Now on Christmas Day, as I'm sure you'll agree, the biggest excitement is all about the turkey.

I expect that yesterday many of my canine pals scored at least a morsel or two from the traditional Christmas roast. Perhaps you did it the conventional, and dare I say rather boring way, by hanging around in the kitchen waiting for a moment's clumsiness on the part of the humans. Or maybe you worked hard at your "me is starving" look as you sat beside the dinner table. 

Or did your piece of turkey, like mine, come courtesy of a wee adventure?

So there I was trotting along the River Dee, enjoying a Christmas Day leg stretch with Gail and her friend Kirsty. As the humans were nattering away and ignoring me, my attention was caught by an interesting smell, and to pursue it I turned off the main path, up a narrow passage away from the river and into a garden.

It seems that when Gail and Kirsty realised I was not directly in front of them, they were unsure which direction I'd gone, so while Gail ran on ahead, Kirsty ventured up the passageway and spotted me.

Just at that moment, I pinpointed the source of the alluring aroma - an open doorway to a big kitchen where Christmas dinner was being prepared.  So of course I went in through the door.

Kirsty tried to follow but was immediately shooed away by a panicky lady shouting "NO NO, you can't come in, this is a care home, we have to shield the residents!" 

Did I ever mention before that I am a little bit deaf these days? It is my story, and I am sticking to it, that I did not hear Kirsty when she called me. The care home lady seemed anxious to have me leave her kitchen, and so she picked up a slice of turkey from one of the dinner plates and waved it in my face, and naturally I followed her as she walked out of the building. Whereupon the lady handed the turkey slice to Kirsty who relayed me back to the river path and Gail. 

Kirsty explained what had happened and asked Gail if she should now give me the piece of meat. My long suffering owner sighed and said yes, I suppose you might as well. Then she clamped on my lead.

Do I feel guilty that one of the care home residents might been deprived of their full dinner portion?

Does a dog have a conscience?

22 comments:

  1. Hari OM
    ................OMD Bertie lad... I am ROTFL.... that is the best laugh this week... (maybe not for Gail, or the care home cook, but for all of us out here!) This has to be paired with the Newcastle incident for entertainment value!!! Hugs and wags YAM-aunty xxx

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  2. Bertie, that's quite the adventure, especially in these times! And what a score, lad. I say, well done! And Happy Boxing Day! Perhaps there is some boxed turkey for you, somewhere.

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    1. I'm pleased to report that I did get some turkey giblets on my kibble this morning.
      Toodle pip!
      Bertie.

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  3. oh my! Oh MY! what a tale of a good dog gone bad. he he he.... i thought maybe you stole the turkey off the table and dragged it out in the garden. since i had that in my head it seems like this was really not so bad at all.. thanks for the morning chuckles. in my opinion she should NOT have had the door open anyway.

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    1. Gail says: care homes are being advised to open doors and windows where possible to let fresh air (but not dogs!) in and reduce the chance of the Covid virus being passed on.

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  4. What a SuperSmart boy your are, Bertie! I am so very proud of you! I would have done the same thing if I wasn't always on this stoopid leash.

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  5. WELL DONE (YES I'M SHOUTING WITH GLEE) BERTIE WELL DONE INDEED. WINNER WINNER TURKEY FOR DINNER. YAY YOU. KEEP YOUR WFT NOSE HIGH IN THE AIR FOR I'M SURE THERE IS ANOTHER TREAT IN TO BE HAD WITH THE CURRENT OPEN DOORS AND WINDOWS POLICY. DON'T YOU JUST LOVE THE OPEN DOOR POLICY. Oh ok all the excitement over now are you restricted to your lead for the foreseeable future?
    hugs and merry wishes to you and Gail
    Cecilia and Bryan
    PS: He reads your blog in the evening and will also be very proud of you. He too likes to follow his nose when there is a fine aroma.

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  6. Oh Bertie! That was quite an adventure. While we don't approve of you running off and possibly getting lost we're glad this story has a happy ending with you getting that piece of turkey you tracked down.

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  7. Wow... what a great adventure. Unfortunately Mom never lets me off lead when we are on walkies. She has major trust issues. Wags, Ranger

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  8. We are having turkey to fight - we hope we get some. If not, we will follow your lead and follow our noses!

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  9. you shouldn't feel guilty. You deserved that turkey....and if had been forthcoming earlier, you might not have been tempted into the Care Home.

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  10. You are becoming self sufficient. That is great.

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  11. ALWAYS follow the nose, right, Bertie? You scored big time. Maybe if you had worn a mask, the lady would have let you stay for another slice or two. We did get turkey yesterday AND again today, but just little bits and no gravy. It was really delicious.

    Love the header.

    Woos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber

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  12. Hi friend, Ojo here! I believe science says that no, we Dogs do not feel guilty about things. So enjoy your turkey, guilt-free!

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  13. Bertie - Canine rule of thumb # 14 - Feigned deafness obviates guilt.

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  14. A conscience is a highly overrated thing. Ya worked hard for that turkey and ya earned it.

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  15. Bertie - how brilliant! We had a really good laugh over this, and I've picked up a good idea about how to wangle a treat! I did have some turkey on Christmas day, and was rather disappointed to find that it's something we have quite often - even when it's not the festive season. My human can buy a pack of two turkey breasts from the local supermarket any time of the year!
    No, as a Labrador I wouldn't have a conscience about any food that came my way...

    Love,
    Inca xx

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  16. Belated Christmas wishes Bertie. We are smiling here in NZ at the thought of you getting free turkey on Christmas Day. Well done... just like Hamish with the scones, apart from getting a reward for your efforts you have given Gail a wonderful memory to smile about for many years to come. Sending lots of love, good wishes and woofs (from Enzo) to you.

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  17. I think that you were obviously MEANT to have that turkey, Bertie. And surely they had extras for the residents!

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  18. How wonderful to score that Turkey treat! You did exactly what you needed to do to have it!

    Your friend Rosie

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  19. BOL!! What a GREAT story! You followed your snooter and found the prize! BOL!!!

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