The Threat Is Always There

  The old dog has really been enjoying being cone-free.  His leg surgery has healed nicely so the dreaded piece of plastic has been put into retirement.  I decided to keep that thing knowing how many folks around here have dogs and how many of those dogs get themselves in some kind of predicament that requires a doctor's care.  The cone is still in perfect condition and may come in handy some day.  I carefully cleaned the thing and then pondered where to put it to dry.  I really did not want to hang it on the clothesline as the sun would make the plastic brittle and useless.  Aha!  A brilliant idea hit me!  Since the grandlittles will not be on the Bayou any time soon, one of their rocking horses could wear the cone while it dried.  It worked!  The horse now sports the "cone of shame".

  My brilliant idea seems to have had an ulterior motive behind it.  With Mr. PJ feeling better, he is starting to get more active.  Being more active means he wanders about the house a good bit.  Wandering leads to the kitchen, of course, and therein lies a problem.  The cat's bowls are there and like most cats, Ms. Nycto, always leaves a bit of food in her bowl.  Mr. PJ knows that and wants to "finish off" her leftovers.  Well, that just makes me have to fill the bowls (he drinks her water, too.) several times a day.  I am quickly running out of cat food.  So!  Another brilliant idea!  When Mr. PJ starts being a busybody, I merely tap the cone on the horse's head and Mr. PJ returns to his good behavior.  He still wanders about but does not touch Ms. Nycto's food!  Tap! Tap! Tap!  

  I guess the memory of the dreaded cone is still fresh in PJ's mind and he perceives the tapping on the cone as a threat that it could be transferred back to his neck.  Oh, Mr. PJ!  You are a funny dog.