a parent's four-legged ally

[sistawendy]

Nibs & I have been riding the Wendling for years to put his stuff away, as do most parents. One of the items we're long since tired of picking up in various places around the house is his retainers. You know, the ones that go in his mouth.

Enter Bigpuppy. She chewed both his retainers into sharp bits yesterday; we're hoping she didn't swallow any. The replacement cost is coming out of m'boy's Bar Mitzvah money.

If he learns anything from this, Bigpuppy should work out better than I ever imagined. If he can't get it together, though, our adoption trial period ends and Bigpuppy goes back to Motley Zoo. Doing otherwise could endanger the dog.

Comments

[sistawendy.livejournal.com]

Wow. That's hardcore! I like it. I'll discuss with Nibs.

[savannarama.livejournal.com]

I do think giving him the tools with which to take care of his stuff is helpful, and shows him there is strategy involved, not just 1) virtue or 2) having a perfect memory (both of which could cause almost anyone to give up, at times). People need little tricks to help them along, and there is nothing wrong with that . . .

[savannarama.livejournal.com]

(Although I don't know what I think of the pacifier container specifically as a tool. If he ends up actually having to wear it, like, in public . . . it might be so embarrassing even a parent backs down out of fear of warping the kid and then you're back at square one).