Today I rearranged my favorite pet rankings. Yesterday my 2 dogs were tied for first placed followed distantly by my son's hermit crab, Spunky (or "monkey" as he says). Spunky was in third place because Spunky is very non-spunky. He is an exceptionally hermitous hermit crab who serves as an exemplary model of his species. And thus, he is a very boring pet. I have spent the past several weeks (Spunky joined the family at Christmas) trying desperately to get Spunky to come out by tricking him into thinking that I am a statue and thus non-threatening. It has not been a successful endeavor...and also is likely a sign that I have reached a truly pathetic phase of my life.
Back to the dogs. I have a Sheltie and an Aussie/Retriever mix. They have no known skills though are theoretically smart dogs. This morning they proved beyond reasonable doubt that their level of intellect is highly theoretical. I woke up, went downstairs to let the Aussie out. I then noticed that the Sheltie was missing. I called; she didn't come. Then I heard a distinct distant chewing sound. On go the lights and I discover that my Sheltie is eating the Aussie's poop...in my living room. So, in the middle of the night my Aussie pooped in the living room (despite the fact that she was let out at 11pm) and then my genius Sheltie, upon discovering the prize at 5am this morning, thought "hmm, waste discarded by my sister's body....sounds like a good, nutritious first meal of the day". So, both dogs dropped to the bottom of the list.
Back to the hermit crab. So tonight I tried a new hermit crab food (realize this is all riveting stuff...but hey, welcome to my life), and low and behold, Spunky got spunky!!!! I cannot describe my elation accurately. He abandoned his fear of me and I got to watch him eat for the first time. It was actually not that interesting, but I feel like this is major progress in our relationship and I'm sure he has more tricks up his sleeve that will become apparent as his trust in my grows.
Comments