Wednesday, July 18, 2012

OCD Dog

I always used to think that cats were the kings of OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) until I got Ray. Then I realized that dogs have the same tendencies.
Every time we go to the lake, I let Ray choose which way he wants to go, to the right or to the left. Every single time, Ray chooses right. Until last week when, for no apparent reason, he chose left.
Now, every time we go to the lake, Ray chooses left. Not only does he choose left, but he is absolutely determined that we will go left.
Yesterday morning, I made Ray take the path to the right. For the first quarter-mile, every ten feet or so, Ray would stop and try to pull me back in the opposite direction. But I insisted that we continue to the right. As we got further and further along the path, Ray persevered in trying to get me to go the other way. He would stop every 20 feet, then 50 feet, then every 100 feet. But his resolve never wavered. Even when we were more than half way 'round, Ray would stop short, and try to pull me back the way we had come. Only after much persuasion would Ray continue on the wrong way 'round.  Three-quarters of the way around he was still doing the same thing. Stop. Pullllll. If necessary, sit back on haunches. Then finally, FLOP.
That's taking OCD to a whole new level.

13 comments:

  1. Minty (sadly departed) was similar, he would always choose to go left as we set out even though going right was to the park, no idea why he liked that direction better..

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  2. Oddly Conor has never been fussed about the direction he takes until the past week or so when he too has started expressing a desire to go left ~ not yet to the point of Minty (OCD minor) or Ray (OCD major) tho' :0p

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    1. Curious.
      I've read that most cats are lefties and have observed it to be true. I don't know about dogs though. They don't seem to use their paws as much as cats do and I don't know if this would have any affect on which direction they show a preference for.
      (Ray appears to be ambidextrous whenever he uses a paw to hit me to get my attention.)

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    2. Moby the Cat, he of pilfering Chinese takeout fame, always uses his left hand during the act of sneaking food. He does the same when removing crunchies from his own food bowl.
      ~Melinda from Texas

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    3. A perfect demonstration of the left-iness of cats. (Can you send me a photo? I would like to see said Moby.(
      Also, can I ask you how you found this blog and why you are reading it from the beginning? I know that would be the logical thing to do but I don't think most people do it that way. I'm curious. Also, did you ever find Gregg's numbers?

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  3. As to how I found your blog, I do read several animal blogs and saw a reference on one (and d**n, for the life of me I can't remember which one) of a blind dog named Ray. I googled it and found the blog. I started reading just new posts and found you all so fun. Also, I felt an affinity with Ray, since I'm blind in my left eye. When I find a blog that makes me want to see new posts all the time, then I go back to the very beginning to really get to know all the "characters". I've done this on three other blogs and I've never been disappointed in the time spent. It's like having a wonderfun (pun intended) book that you just can't put down.
    I did find Gregg's numbers and it was so wonderful and touching. My hubby, Greg, was in a similar situation, so it really struck home.
    I would be happy to send you a pic of Moby the Stealth. In fact, I'm trying to find one with the Chinese takeout. Let me know the best way to send.
    ~Melinda from Texas

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    1. If you look at the right side of the blog in the "About Me" section and see Ray's profile, at the bottom of it, it will say 'view my complete profile.' You will find an email option in there.
      Looking forward to photos of Moby and hearing about the other Greg.

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    2. Done. However, I couldn't play favorites. I had to send pics of Shamu and Bosco, too.
      ~Melinda from Texas

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  4. Glad to see someone else went back and read the blog from the beginning as I did, its a great read, and I always look forward to the latest update, and of course now I have actually met the hairy guy in person it is an essential part of my life. !

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  5. No but I am getting updates on some posts, must be ones I either commented on and subscribed to updates on...

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    1. huh. I didn't know there was an option for that. Interesting.

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