.Bucky is the canine love of my life.Everything he does is cute. Oh sure he gets on my nerves sometimesbut who doesn't.
My husband, Mark is the human loveof my life. We are soulmates. He tolerates (maybe even understands)my Bucky obsession and doesn't mind. After all, he has a girlfriendnamed Cinnamon .
Anyway, Bucky became very intolerantof the kittens. He would growl at them if they walked over him in hissleep. Imagine. They were never afraid of him but it started toconcern me. What I didn't understand was that even though Bucky wasgrowling he was still being submissive. His ears were back, his bellywas often up. It just didn't make sense to me.
Then he started growling at humans.I believed I was doing the right things in disciplining him. I toldhim no, he would get in his crate and lie down and go to sleep. Hewas usually sleeping when the growling occurred, always lying down.When he growled and snapped at me, I didn't handle it very well. Ihad a Cleo flashback and was afraid I'd have to put Bucky to sleep.(See Cleo's story for details.) Cleo's story.
It was Christmas day, I cried myself to sleep. I had already talked to one vet who suggested a behavioristat the University of Pennsylvania. Before I took that on I thoughtI'd try an alternative therapy. I called a vet who practicedacupuncture and chinese herbs. When we got there, I told her the whole story.
Now at all other times Bucky is agood dog. He sits and stays and heels. He snuggles and kisses andbehaves. He listens to his mother and I know he's a good dog.
I believed something else was wrong.I knew he didn't have a behavior problem or a discipline problem or abad owner problem. His blood tests showed no problems.
The vet looked at his eyes andasked, "Are they always bloodshot?"
"Yes," I said, "always."
"Well, he has the symptons of liveryang, his qi is blocked. Do you want to try herbs?" she askedus.
I said, "Yes, that's what I want totry."
For about ten days Bucky took herbscalled 'relaxed wanderer' and I will tell you that it was the mostmiraculous experience I have ever witnessed. His bloodshot eyescleared up and the growling stopped. Even when sleeping and snoringhis little heart out and a cat steps on him, he doesn't growl.
He's friendly and even a little moreaffectionate with strangers. It's the most amazing thing.
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