Bed Shredder

Adopting an adult canine, as opposed to a puppy, is much like bringing foster children into your existence, with its challenges, plus mysterious pasts. These beloved dogs inevitably arrive spoiled, undisciplined, and possess overtly poor manners. When Rose entered my life, it was obvious that she knew zero basic commands, which forced me to balance both love and treating her like a "project". I swiftly taught my intelligent canine some of the most important commands.... But allowed her time for personal adjustments as well. She instantly considered our furniture special places to rest, plus made that "melodious baying" sound which still bellows deep from her vocal chords! However, no behavioral issue meant anything in comparison to one single problem: "accidents". Rose would never use our great room as her own personal toilet.... Unless everyone drove away to some unknown destination and abandoned her, which is merely once a week!! Urination in the house has seldom been an issue, it was always pooh. So we purchased her a black-coated metal kennel. Following the AKC instructions, I introduced my canine to it days prior to literally locking her inside. I created this little "den" out of the kennel, placing her comically large brown dog pillow upon its tray. Rose adjusted rapidly.... In just a short time, she was napping there!! Then came the ultimate test. It killed me to leave her alone in that....that....cage. But what else was there to do? We coaxed her inside with treats, latched the door, then nonchalantly stepped away. I would not be gone longer than three hours. To our astonishment, when we returned, Rose was standing in what looked like a fluffy white cloud. As though she had died and God provided her with this very own personal soft-as-cotton cloud. Only that was cotton beneath Rose's four paws!! She had shredded to pieces her brown pillow!! Now it revealed the white elastic inner fabric!! Rose, who lives for enthusiastically greeting me at our front door upon my return, and enjoys exploring, must have become enraged during that time behind bars!! All we could utter was a shocked "Oh my gosh"....