Cairns in the kitchen

[kayharley]

Today I was making home made chicken soup. As soon as I strained the broth and began to go through the meat, they all congregated around my feet. They sat and watched wide-eyed at me picking through the chicken and depositing pieces into the soup. I sampled a couple little morsels of chicken and felt so guilty with these 6 eyes on me.

What do you think goes through their minds? Do you think they look at us as "lucky alpha's" or just mean, selfish pet owners?

Reason I'm asking is because all three of mine are on different diets due to medical reasons. One can't have any fat, another can't have protein and the other can pretty much eat whatever but I can't give to one and not the others....just too cruel.

So today I compromised in the veggie addition to the soup and all of them got carrot/celery morsels.

I am a good Cairn mother but they make me feel so guilty in the kitchen. Must I remove them from cooking class 101?

[Tracy A.]

Oh, the little gremlins do this to us all the time. We'll make up mini plates for them using a tea cup saucer. Just a little something, like a few carrs crackers, maybe a few unsalted shelled peanuts, or a slice of rye bread with some shredded cheese... nothing major mind you, just a little something safe for them to eat.

A lot of times what I am cooking they can't have- ie onions in it... and to be honest they don't care, just as long as they get something.

So your a good Fur Mommy!

[CathyAnn]

Guilty as charged..... .

Piper got leftover rice from OUR dinner tonight.

It's those eyes...... .

Cathy

[Milopup]

I am barely past the stage of "one bite for me, one bite for you", and rarely eat food that is dangerous to my pup. Yes I am puppy-whipped...

[tena]

Between the teen, Sophie and the cats, mooching is pretty heavy in my kitchen. Sophie is glued to my ankle as soon as she realizes food is being prepped. She ranges from sniffing the floor for droppies, to dancing on her back feet. The little angora cat, adds a vocal element and has her own feet binding dance, the weave and stretch. They often sniff noses and butts while mooching...adding a potential difference of opinion to the mix. The big Tabby saunters through louding proclaiming his rights...the only one who will not sample people food. The teen ends the parade with 'what you making'....I give bites to a variety of them in random order each time.....

If they aren't getting anything at all...I just don't look at them...

[toomanypaws]

I so understand w/ having three of my own. I also have a cockatoo who eats ALOT of people food, which my Cairns can't quite understand why he's getting some and not them. I always keep a package of baby carrots for the Cairns, something they seem to love. I will confess, all my dogs expect something, anything from our dinner plate. I know, bad mom! I usually give them something from a piece of veggie to a small piece of meat. Tonight they each got a small piece of turkey burger.

[tena]

If we eat in the living room, you spend the whole meal watching Sophie dance from knee to knee. In the kitchen she sits in sight and quietly whines. I don't feed her from my plate only because I know she would next borrow my fork!!!

[Teri9672]

my husband gives the girls a bite or two of his cereal every morning. He also lets them have a sip or two of milk left in the bowl. I will occasionally give them a chip or french fry, but that's about it for people food.

[sanford]

When I'm eating or if I'm cooking/preparing food in the kitchen, my policy is: no eye contact! I pretend I don't have a cairn & act like he's invisible. One look into those innocent, imploring eyes and I'd be a goner.

I know I can't win. He's so food-driven that if I break down & give him a sample of what I'm cooking or eating, he'll never leave me alone... EVER! So I don't give in, but end up feeling mean & guilt-ridden as well!

I've had my cairn for less than a year and I've held out thus far. I know the day will come when he'll catch me in a weak moment and get a handout from my plate & I'll be doomed. (I have to confess that I'm almost looking forward to it!).

All this aside, whenever we visit anywhere, he's constantly getting handouts from people's' plates. I tried to discourage my friends & family from doing this, but he's so darn appealing that I'd catch them sneaking morsels to him under the table anyway. For the sake of friendship and my own sanity I've decided to let him win this round. That way, he gets his fix and I continue to enforce the "house rules" when we're home.

[abe's dad]

We are on the go a lot and have casual meals in the living room most of the time. Our guys are told to sit and be good while we are eating and they will agree to that most of the time, we still have 4 little eyes watching every move you make but there is very little noise. When Abe thinks you are getting close to the last bite he will lay a paw on your foot and look at you like "Don't forget your buddy down here" to get the last tiny bite. It is too cute to refuse but they only get a small bite after everyone is through eating.

James

[JerryLv]

Augg! I hate it. I keep telling my wife "No people food". She in turns keeps telling me "No people food". At least we can eat a Banana without sharing it with Zen. He hates bananas.

I am so crazy about his diet (Raw food, made especially by me and me alone) yet it is soooo hard to resist giving him a bite or two....or three of what ever you are eating at the time.

Maybe if I had his ears and tail clipped and put a bandana over his wistful eyes.

Yeh....that might work...JG

[Tracy A.]

One look into those innocent, imploring eyes and I'd be a goner.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Otherwise known as the "Cute Weapon" in our house

[suedelu29]

Both mine 2.5 years, and just recently discovered the "don't look into their eyes", and your pretty much safe. I feel like they are burning a hole through me though. Mine get way to much "people food", so I feel like I am really a bad fur mom. I am just not tough enough!

[Eliz222]

Oh, those eyes just go straight to our hearts, don't they???

I really hate dogs that beg, so I try to give them their treats in their bowl. Sometimes I get lazy and end up giving them the food as I'm standing at the sink......I know...bad, bad, bad! I'm so afraid of giving them people food, that they usually only get carrots, and other veggies...and the occasional raw chicken wing.

I made the mistake of letting Finch lick my spoon after I was finished eating some ice cream. Now, she can tell I'm eating ice cream (not that I eat it often! lol!) from 10 miles away! She is just now beginning to stop running to the kitchen when she hears the ice cream coming out.

[kjwarnold]

When we first got Packy, we started right out putting him in his crate while we had dinner. He never minded being in there, so it was a good way to keep track of him and make sure he didn't beg at the table. Months later now, he's not in his crate but he does not beg at the table. He sits in the living room and watches us eat, but doesn't pester us.

Now ice cream or popcorn in the evening is a different matter...

[OzGirl]

I too always have company in the kitchen when I'm preparing food. Roxy sits right behind me so I have to remember she's there and not step back on her. I know I shouldn't but I always give her something - only raw veges or fruit and occassionly a little cheese. She just looks so cute watching and waiting for food that I always cave in. I have been strict with not letting anyone feed her during our meals so she has never learnt to beg at meal times.

[Marmielin]

I've been on vacation and just now read this. Reminded me of the children's rhyme-

Jack Sprat could eat no fat.

His wife could eat no lean.

So between the two of them

they licked the platter clean.

Linda B.

[tlwtheq]

I too always have company in the kitchen when I'm preparing food. Roxy sits right behind me so I have to remember she's there and not step back on her.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ah, now you're talking about one of my DH's pet peeves. On more than one occasion per week when he's doing some kind of preparation in the kitchen he has two Cairns and two felines underfoot. He has to sort of stomp his heels a little before backing up or turning around so no one get's stepped on. As we all know, the concept of "being in the way" is a foreign one to our fur babies.

Tara, Olie, Teddy, Naia, and Lambert's Mom

[Guest posting as: zoey in maine]

yikes !!!! you mean they arent considered assistant chef?

[mrseggcup]

Your uprights FEED you dawgs when they are cooking???!!! Man, I knew that Alpha B was stingy, but I had no idea. She acts like I am there to clean up what drops on the floor and I should be grateful for THAT! I feel like Oliver Twist. Please, Sir! I want some more.

I am gonna have a long, stern talk with her. And if that doesn't work, I am packing my toys and stuff and moving to a house with more obedient uprights! Sheesh!

Double WOOF!

Eli