Does Your Dog Like Peas? Philosophy At Work.

Photo of Lou 72

I met Lou in the mall, and we chatted for a few minutes before his wife ‘collected’ him. Lou turned out to be a very interesting guy, retired from IBM. Was he really a nice guy, though? I suspect so, but you have to be careful with humans. Food is different. Photo by FitOldDog with permission.

Hi folks, welcome!

Rick with Willbe

Here’s a guy I trust, my friend Rick, but I’ve known him for several years – he’s consistent, a great Dad, loves dogs and his kids, and what a swimmer. Never changes, with no pretense, but it takes a while to get used him because he’s quiet and makes no attempt to impress. Photo by FitOldDog with permission.

Why do we like one person, vegetable, book, or dog, and not another? I do like philosophy, or thinking about thinking, I must admit, and this is an age-old question.

When it comes to liking most things, no problem, your initial impression is generally on target. For humans, however, first impressions are dangerous and you have to remember that you most certainly can’t tell a book by it’s cover when it comes to people. The initial persona can be a complete deception, but it comes out in the end. Another important issue is that some people can read through the deception immediately – I’m not one of those people, it takes me a while, so I listen to those who can. It’s uncanny how they do that.

Our dogs seem to have no doubt about who or what they like, and they make no bones about it. For instance, our little dog, Scooter, will ignore most dogs, but then out of the blue he takes exception to a particular dog, and goes nuts, acting like a big aggressive attack dog.

Willbe looking at a piece of cheese

Cheese?

Our yellow lab, Willbe, on the other hand, wants to play with all dogs EXCEPT when Scooter doesn’t like them, and then he joins in. He liked them until his friend Scooter didn’t!!! It would appear that mammals, including humans and dogs, are fickle and easily misled.

We like this and we don’t like that, right off the bat, but we can be persuaded against initial impressions, or our best interests, sometimes, by the reactions of others. Dog or human!! I often wonder about this stuff, and how I’ve been led astray in the past.

That said, I can’t get my dogs to like peas. In fact, I’ve never found a dog that will eat peas. Willbe eating cheeseAll the dogs I’ve known can pick the peas out of a stew, and leave them all cleaned up on the side of their plate.

Cheese is another story.

I’m yet to meet a dog that doesn’t like cheese.

I often wonder why I like this food and not that one, or this person and not the other. Guess it comes down to some kind of reflection or projection of an inner image, based on one’s past experience, or that of distant ancestors, due to genetic imprints. This is surely molded by nostalgic memories, and even the immediate environment, or our mood at the time.

This is where food and humans differ. I’ve known humans I liked a lot immediately, who turned out to be less than savory in the end, whilst others who I didn’t take to at first were the salt of the earth.

I really trust Rick, but I have to reserve judgement for Lou – took me a while to learn this lesson.

You have to give it time and read past the outer shell. Willbe won’t even give peas a chance, but he’s never been deceived by a cheese.

Cheers,

Kevin aka FitOldDog

Peas

Peas, anyone?

 

 

Comments

  1. Apparently, talking about food, Neanderthals were omnivores not carnivores. http://www.thelocal.es/20140626/worlds-oldest-human-poo-unearthed-spain

  2. CENelson says

    I must have unusual pets, 2 Dachshunds and a Labrador, and they love peas, green beans, carrots mixed with brown rice and ground beef liver. No problem at all to get them to eat. Could it be the liver added to the stew 🙂 Of course, I make this special for my dog family and add no spices, salt or pepper at all.

    • Hi CENelson, I bet it’s the liver. I’ll give that a try, being a scientist at heart I love to experiment. I had a two-legged cat once, known as Becky, who loved to eat cantaloupe. She also had the quickest reflexes of any cat I ever encountered. Can’t imagine life without my non-human mentor companions. Have fun. Cheers, Kevin

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Disclaimer: As a veterinarian, I do not provide medical advice for human animals. If you undertake or modify an exercise program, consult your medical advisors before doing so. Undertaking activities pursued by the author does not mean that he endorses your undertaking such activities, which is clearly your decision and responsibility. Be careful and sensible, please.