The @friendlymoose photo contest this week couldn't have come up with a better theme. The theme is SAND. Now, you can go in many directions with this theme, but the first thing that came to mind was our Skipper. And although Skipper is a dog, true dog lovers will immediately see the link between a dog and sand.
He Found A New Job
In one of my last blogs, I mentioned that Skipper, our German Shepherd, had given himself a job that I wasn't thrilled with. A job that I tried to convince him wasn't the right fit for him. He had decided that he would work in the security and surveillance sector. This makes every passer-by suspicious of him, and that every unknown sound is a potential break-in. Not to mention his favorite spot at the gate where he mans the checkpoint with a dedication that would make even the most seasoned and specialized night watchman jealous. As an owner, however, I wasn't too happy with the dedication with which he performed his self-chosen job. And I had been doing all sorts of things to distract him from his job for a long time. Which often seemed to be a futile effort. But, miracles still happen because last weekend our Skipper decided to change careers. Our dedicated security guard successfully retrained as a certified gardener. And that has given him quite a few new job opportunities, by the way, I have to say that it has also given me new work. Although I would gladly do that for my hard worker.
Let's start with our backyard. Like every wannabe farm, it is largely paved. Stones, stones, and more stones. It looks cool, yes, but it has its disadvantages. For example, those stones absorb enough heat in the summer to bake a pizza. And I haven't even mentioned the weeds that grow up between all those stones. It is a disaster to keep it free of weeds naturally without spraying poison. There are large planters with trees everywhere because well, planting trees in the open ground is not an option. But there is a small piece of land behind us that is not completely buried under concrete: a patch of black sand. And it is that small patch of sandy soil that Skipper found his new calling.
The Great Digging Discovery
It was last Friday that I caught him. Like a young puppy who has discovered something new, he was enthusiastically digging along the fence. Big paws throw black earth into the air, his snout full of black sand. I could laugh about it. My tough guard dog, who normally analyses every move like a strategic mastermind, was standing there enthusiastically like a toddler with a shovel on the beach. Fine, I thought, if he wants to dig a little, I'm not going to stop him. But of course, Skipper decided it was time to expand his gardening skills and raise his level as a gardener.
While I was painting outside in the late autumn sun I could hear sand flying around, I could hear his paws working, I could hear him panting with exertion, but ... I couldn't see him! And that was reason enough for me to take a break from my painting activities and go and have a look. He wasn't standing at the hole where he was working earlier, I should have seen him there. The only possibility where he could dig without me being able to see him was at our compost bin. A simple wooden bin where we throw all our green waste in the hope that it will one day turn into nice, nutritious soil. This works fantastically too. In all the years that we've lived here, we've never had a shortage of compost sand. It was fine that Skipper had become a gardener and he also left the compost bin alone until yesterday. But now that he's raised his level, the compost bin had to go.
And before I knew it, he was sitting with his whole body in the bin, throwing soil and half-decayed vegetable scraps around him. He had learned somewhere in his training that composting had to be done, and if that meant that he had to dig everything up, then so be it.
Natural behavior, so why stop it?
I could have stopped him. I could have distracted him, called him over, and even yelled, “No, not in the compost bin!” But why would I want to stop my dog from doing this? Dogs that are kept as pets often don’t get to do this natural behavior enough. Digging is in the genes of dogs. It’s an instinct that goes back to their ancestors, who dug to find food or create a safe hiding place. Honestly, I think it’s great that Skipper is doing this natural behavior. It’s his nature, and it’s wonderful to see a dog so completely absorbed in an activity that makes him happy deep down.
But there are more reasons why digging is good for dogs:
Physical Exercise: Digging is intense work. Skipper gets a full-body workout without me having to throw a ball or encourage him to run around in circles. His shoulders, legs and back muscles are working hard, which is good for his physical health.
Mental Stimulation: Digging gives dogs a purpose. They have to think about where to dig, how deep to go, and how to get rid of those pesky roots. It keeps their brains active and keeps them from getting bored—something essential for a smart dog like Skipper.
Relaxation: For many dogs, digging is relaxing. It’s a way to release stress and get rid of tension. Skipper, who’s always alert and alert to every sound, seems to completely unwind when he sticks his nose in the dirt and digs a hole like his life depends on it.
So no, I'm not going to try to sabotage Skipper's new job as a gardener. I'm just going to let him do his thing. Every time he enthusiastically throws dirt in the air, I smile and think how happy he is. He works hard, and the great thing is, that as long as he takes his new role as a gardener seriously, he forgets about his old job in security for a while.
A happier dog with a little sand
It's great to see how Skipper enjoys his new hobby. Of course, I have to help. We don't have a big piece of sand, so when he's inside for a while, I fill in the holes he's dug. When he comes outside again, he looks and diligently digs them all open again. I throw the sand he dug out of the compost bin back into the hole there, and he digs it out even more diligently. I'm more than happy to accept the extra gardening work that comes with it. The most important thing is that we enjoy it together, we stay physically active together, and after a day of gardening, we both feel accomplished.
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