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October 3, 2013

The Art Of Petting A Pet

Normally I write about “pet” the noun, but today I’m writing about “pet” the verb.  Just as no two pets (nouns) are alike, no two pets (verbs) are alike either.  Still with me?  Me neither, but let’s keep going. Petting a pet is much more of an art

Normally I write about “pet” the noun, but today I’m writing about “pet” the verb.  Just as no two pets (nouns) are alike, no two pets (verbs) are alike either.  Still with me?  Me neither, but let’s keep going.

Petting a pet is much more of an art than a science.  Who knows why some pets like to be scratched behind the ears while others prefer a belly rub, but each pet has a way of asking for a unique brand of affection.  These are Eko’s favorites.

Rhodesian Ridgeback, dogs, adventure, marking our territory, petcentric, Eko, pet friendly, favorite spot

Eko’s bronze medal goes to the neck scratch.  For some reason he usually likes this one in the morning.  I know he’s looking for a neck scratch when he sits in front of me and tilts his head up

Rhodesian Ridgeback, dogs, adventure, marking our territory, petcentric, Eko, pet friendly, favorite spot

The silver medal goes to the chest scratch.  If Eko stands facing me on all fours it usually means he wants a chest scratch

Neck and chest scratches are nice for Eko, but neither even comes close to winning the gold medal for “best scratch in Eko’s world.”  Eko’s favorite scratch is not for the meek of heart and requires a durable pair of legs.  Ladies and gentleman, I present to you the ninety-five-pound-not-so-lap-dog-butt-scratch:

Rhodesian Ridgeback, dogs, adventure, marking our territory, petcentric, Eko, pet friendly, favorite spot

If I’m sitting on the couch, Eko will turn his whole body and reverse his back half right onto my lap.  My legs support his weight and he gives me the (pictured above) “you know what to do” look

Rhodesian Ridgeback, dogs, adventure, marking our territory, petcentric, Eko, pet friendly, favorite spot

And so I dutifully scratch that knucklehead’s butt and all is well in the world.  All except for my numb legs!

Yet again, I’m convinced that Eko truly believes himself to be a small dog.  Does anyone else have a pet that lets them know when they’re looking for a specific scratch?

Comments for The Art Of Petting A Pet

  1. stevebuddy says:

    Will I hear you about the butt scratching, every dog I had, loves that one.
    Buddy will come to me and put his chin in my hand to be petted and scratched (but he puts his chin in my hand for everything he wants to) but then he will grab my hand with his mouth to try to move it where he wants it. Then he also love my rubbing by his paws, just above the pads, there is a indentation there he just loves me to rub. I usually do this in the car for car rides as he sits in the passenger seat.
    I am still trying to teach him to scratch my back ? I have to admit, I am not getting any were with this one yet ?

  2. Sage says:

    Sage is definitely a belly rub kinda girl, but when it comes to a leg massage, she’s in 7th heaven!

  3. There is that saying “If you think dogs are dumb put three cookies in your pocket and only give them two.” I have to say that they all know how to get us to do things. And what about the fact that my old dog use to know if she got to go by the shoes I put on. If I donned a pair heels she would slink back to bed but if I put on my tennis shoes she was running back and forth between me and the door. I think they are much smarter than people give them credit for. Well at least those who don’t own one.

  4. MJE/RR Owner says:

    My Zonka shoves his butt in anyone’s lap for a scratch or if they are standing he forces himself between their legs and will stand still waiting for a scratch.

  5. Misaki says:

    I like to walk through mummy’s legs so that my bum is right in front of her for a good butt scratch 🙂

  6. Victoria says:

    Muffin turn a circle with her behind within rubbing distance and then just wags her tail while you pet her behind…then does a circle and nudges you with her nose and circles again for more butt rubs……she loves them.

  7. Kuruk says:

    My favorite is Mama’s back and neck massages! Wooooooowoooooooo!

  8. Emmadog says:

    I love having my ears scratched/massaged and I like my hips scratched…sometimes a good belly rub too!

  9. Boomer and Dottie both love a good butt scratch!

  10. It was a tie between the butt scratch and an ear rub for Cody. Both were highly looked for from almost anyone.

  11. Jack flops on his back at a moments notice for a belly rub. It’s his gold standard.

  12. OMD you answered a question that has been driving my husband nuts! Dakota often turns his rear end (just to my husband! lol) I told him he wants his butt scratched and I was right!

  13. Basil and Buddy always put their heads up when the want a chin tickle. And Nacho will stretch back for tummy rubs, which is weird because piggies are supposed to hate being on their back and feeling vulnerable!

    ~ Amy

  14. last picture… Eko is so funny! Donna definitely has a thing for butt scratches too…

  15. harrispen says:

    Millie has a tail that could be used as a weapon it wags so hard. If she is laying on the floor and wants a belly rub she will whack her tail on the floor so loud there is no way you can ignore the request.

    Cindy

  16. Yep! Can’t beat a good ole fashioned butt scratching!

  17. Exactly! That’s the area for the gold medal!

  18. Stacey says:

    My dog Miles loves a good butt scratch too!! He is about 100 pound dog!! Lol

  19. Mags Corner says:

    I laughed so hard at the butt-scratching pictures. Eko you are just sooooo funny. That is one way of being assured to get what you want though good job!! Hugs and nose kisses

  20. Skye’s favourite is the butt scratch and, like Eko, he backs onto my lap. Charlie loves being scratched under the chin – face is presented, tilted upwards at just the right angle 🙂

  21. Jenny says:

    My pooch LOVES the belly rub. If she’s lying on her side, all I need to do is extend my hand towards her and she’ll lift up a back leg without even looking at me……if I fail to begin The Rub, that’s when I get the “you know what to do” look.

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