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Dear
Sgt. Pepper,
My name is Bob and I have a big problem. I love
playing
with and talking to dogs but they don't like me. I do
everything
that dogs do but my family keeps telling me
I'm a cat so I can't
play with dogs. Please print my letter
I want to be famous just
like you!
Bob the Cat
Yorkshire
Dear
Bob,
GGGRRRRR!!
WOOF!! Ha ha... Just kidding... Really, I can
be civil... In all
honesty, I have a fascination with cats, I
think most dogs do.
That's probably why you're having
this problem... Let me see if I
can explain it in a way you
might understand better. You are
fascinated with birds
and mice and such, right? Even if you're an
indoor cat,
you still have that instinct. Well, with dogs, it's the
same
type of instinct, we want to chase cats. That doesn't
mean
that we couldn't get along. I know of many feline/canine
mixed
relationships, and there's nothing wrong with that.
I think a lot of it is how a dog was raised. I personally was
not raised with cats, so I'm a little edgy around them. (I
don't mind conversing on the internet with them, however...
isn't anonymity great!?)Not only is it how you're raised, but
genetics plays a part, too... some dogs are better suited to
being introduced to cats later in
life, either because of their
size, temperament, or level of obedience.
I think there are a lot of dogs out there who could easily
get along with you, especially since you say you share
common interests with dogs, however... For your own safety,
and the peace of mind of your parents, I would strongly
suggest that you avoid strange dogs that are bigger than you,
unless it is obvious to you that they are somewhat aloof. Those
dogs are probably
familiar with some cats on a more personal
level and are not so anxious to play with you. Playing with a dog
can be a lot of fun, but many big dogs like to play rough, they
wrestle, pounce, and bite, and I would hate to see you get into
this kind of "play" mode with an untrained
Doberman or
something.
Love,
The Sarge
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Dear Sgt. Pepper,
I am a 6 yr. old golden retriever/collie mix...my people
call me "Murphy", and I have a confession to make. I
can't sleep without a stuffed animal. I know I'm probably
too old for this habit...but I just can't break myself of it.
(my favorites are Fisher-Price
Puff-a-lumps).
Is this a bad thing? Am I too old to sleep with dollies? I
just can't help myself! I need to suck on them like a
pacifier...if I don't have a
dolly, I use my leg to suck on...
then mom gives me a bath when I do that! (yuck!) What do
you think?
Signed, Murphy
North Tonawanda
Murphy!
I remember you, weren't you at one of my gigs? No, mom
says you were at Ethereal Dreams when she was painting
the window out front. It's so good to hear from you!
About your question... There is absolutely NOTHING wrong
with having an attachment to stuffed animals. Stuffed
animals can serve as companions, play toys, pillows... um,
a snack... (just don't swallow the stuffing... or the eyeballs
or
noses...) It is very important to note, though, that you
need to know the difference between your own toys, and
any children's toys. children get very upset when they have
to share their toys.
You should know where your stuffed animals are at all
times. The reason I say this is because you mentioned that
if you don't have one, you suck on your leg, and that makes
your mom want to give you a bath... Baths are to be avoided
at all costs. There's soap and lukewarm water, and all too
rarely a rubber
ducky... In general, it's not a good
experience (except the rubber
ducky part.) I would avoid
baths as much as possible, and if that means keeping
stuffed animals everywhere so you never have to suck on
your leg, so be it. You have no cause to feel
embarrassed
or ashamed about your attachment to stuffed animals.
That being said, thanks for the picture, and I will enter
it in the photo contest for you.
Love,
Sgt. Pepper
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Dear Sarge,
My parents just bought me a new stuffed toy for my
anniversary, (I've been here for a whole month!) and
I really love toys, especially new ones. The problem is,
whenever I play with this toy, it squeaks. I try being
gentle, but it still squeaks. It's driving me absolutely
BONKERS! What can I do about it?
--Scruffy, Lab Mix
Wichita, KS
Dear Scruffy,
Oh, my gosh! I know exactly what you mean. I had a
bear that had the very same problem. The only thing
I could think was that it was defective in some way.
Here's how you find out. Some time when you're bored,
say when you're home alone or something... gnaw on it
until you find the "stitching" that's like strings that
hold a toy together. When you find those, bite through
them until the "stuffing" is exposed. Stuffing is usually
white and fluffy, like a white poodle or bichon frise.
Next you put the toy between your front paws with the
stuffing exposed. It requires great skill to hold it in that
position. Then you remove the stuffing with your teeth
until you find the mechanism inside which is causing it to
squeak. I don't know why it happens, but it seems that
every now and then, toys end up with something like that
that got put inside them by accident. People don't seem
to notice it until they bring the toys home, so there you
are, stuck with a defective toy. Don't worry though, I
have every reason to believe that you are perfectly
capable of handling this problem on your own.
Happy anniversary!
Love, Sgt. Pepper
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