Every time I have a few days without my Mistress I bark at her more when she comes back. It’s not her that is the problem. It’s having been cooped up with Aristotle. He can do that to a dog. It’s stress. I get all concerned and worried and then every time Ari moves I end up barking, mostly in my Mistress’s ear. She knows that I will settle down again in a few days, but it does make the time when she is first home quite difficult. I did have a lovely cuddle in bed and that helped, but it would have been better if we could have stayed there all day. It’s funny you know, our Master was reading an article in a dog magazine which was advising how a dog should be treated. It said quite clearly that a dog does not like to be cuddled. Who are these people and how dare they speak for all of us? There may be some dogs who do not liked to be cuddled and in fact there are humans who are like that too, but please don’t start assuming we are all alike. I don’t think I’ve ever met an Entlebucher who did not like to be cuddled and you could not find more cuddly dogs than me and Aristotle. I don’t just want to be patted and stroked. I want to lie snuggled up with your arms around me. Aristotle even comes up on two legs and wraps his front legs round you for a hug. I don’t suppose for a minute that our breed is unique. I’m sure the person who wrote the article meant well and maybe strangers need to start from the premise of not cuddling a dog they don’t know until they have got to know the dog. After all, would they go and hug complete strangers in the street? However, please stop thinking you can speak for us all. You are doing more harm than good. I can honestly tell you that I become a very unhappy dog if I don’t get a good share of cuddles. I’d swap a walk for a cuddle any day of the week.
Alfie’s Diary – the Book as well as our other books are available HERE
You can find short stories to read at www.alfiedog.com