Monday 18 October 2010
Mo The Foraging Dog
The last few mornings have seen a sheen of silver frost on the lawn and the field beyond, which means, not only is it time to turn on the central heating, but it's the end of the outdoor tomatoes, time to gather in the last of the apples and pears, and the blackberries in the hedgerow have mostly blackened and shrivelled. This last is a bit of a disappointment for my dog Mo, as she has developed a habit this year of helping herself to blackberries. I can rarely pass by a laden bramble bush without stopping to gather at least a few pocketfuls of berries, and instead of standing by with a somewhat pained expression suggesting we should be getting on with the real reason for the expedition, ie walkies, she's taken to nibbling the berries growing low down on the hedge whilst I gather the ones from further up. Blackberrying isn't easy for a dog, having just the wet nose to select the berries - she tends to nibble one or two rather gingerly, before the prickles on the stems set off a sneezing fit! Very funny to watch, and I've never noticed her doing it before. I wonder if anyone else has a fruit eating dog?
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Dear Kathy, I have never heard of a dog foraging for blackberries. Perhaps you should try training Mo for truffle hunting....your fortunes would be made!!
ReplyDeleteI've never known a blackberrying dog! Looks like Mo is really enjoying them.
ReplyDeleteCould you train her to find Truffles? That would certainly help to pay any vets bills! xxxxx
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking this sweet girl might have a calling? "Mo, the berry sniffing dog". I can see the headlines in the paper!
ReplyDeleteglad to have you back...I was worried
ReplyDeleteMy dogs like certain fruit, but they don't pick it themselves! Mo, the wonder dog! Does a real fine job, without ruining the bushes!
ReplyDeleteHi Edith and Diane - great minds think alike do they not, truffles would be great!
ReplyDeleteHi Louise, yes she does really seem to like them
Hello Doc, Yes she could have her own column Forgaging For Dogs...
Bless you John, you're so sweet
Hi Sharon, if only I could train her to peel apples and pears....
It's very healthy for him.:) Seriousy though, in the wild it is quite common for wolves and coyotes to eat berries. Mo must still have a bit of the wild in him.
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