Oh……….Ray!

Yesterday, Ray and I went for a car ride to our local landfill site! I had an item to dispose of which was not part of the regular pickup schedule arrangements.

Carol was away for most of the day and had the restraining system for Ray in her car, so I rigged up an arrangement with various leashes … which actually worked very well. He had sufficient movement to have his front paws on the centre console (between the front seats), and could also lay down on the rear seat of he wished. We were all set!

When we reached our destination, we were greeted by a man who was clearly drawn to dogs. He gave Ray a big smile (through a closed window) and happily waved at him. Ray’s response was to aggressively lung and bark at him!  Was it because he was sensitive due to Carol’s absence? He was in a strange place?  He was over sensitive due to his meds reduction?

On our way home, I decided to go through a Tim’s Drive-Thru and treat myself to a latte and Ray to a plain TimBit. It was only as I drove into the Drive-Thru entrance that I thought about Ray’s earlier behavior. If he performs in the same manner when the young lady reaches out to give me my drink and Ray’s TimBit, both items are likely to go flying as she leaps backwards!

We approached the pay/pickup window with some degree of trepidation. Ray was sitting up such that his head was very close to mine. I was waiting for him to either try and lunge across in front of me (his restraints would have prevented him from going very far), or suddenly going behind me … which is typically where he goes in an attempt to intercept the incoming treat!

As the drive-thru window slid open, and the young lady handed me our order, there was no movement from Ray. His eyes were just fixated on the little brown bag which contained his treat. He behaved so well that I parked the car and gave him a few pieces of his TimBit, after which we headed for home.

What’s the difference between the landfill site and Tim Hortons? A possible TimBit?

 

46 thoughts on “Oh……….Ray!”

  4. I think it was 2 things. One …strange man and place…which means unfamiliar smells and vibes. Evidently to Ray…something just wasn’t feeling right with the guy . And 2 sudden movement of man waving.
    In a car…from Rays point of view…this could be taken as an aggressive act.
    I have to be careful approaching a car with a dog in it too. I don’t know how many times I’ve scared that animal. Plus …you must remember. Ray is dominating and protecting his turf and master! God help any one who tries to mess with his stuff without his permission!
    All in all…I think he was being exactly what his instincts made him…
    A loyal friend and a fierce protector.
    Good Boy Ray! God bless your funny face! Kisses from me on your soft ears!💋💋🐕🐶🐩💜💜😘
    Andrea.🐾

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  6. It’s possible that the waving and smiling of a stranger was taken as non-verbal communication and more on the aggressive side (showing teeth, rapid movements). Of course, most dogs learn about take out windows, too, when food is involved and associated with positive things. I’m sure Ray picked up on the good vibes of the drive-thru.

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  8. Second situation – Food! 😀
    First situation – someone approaching the car which Ray sees as his territory?
    Hard to say! But I like that you rigged up a safe way to drive with him. 🙂 So many people just drive with a dog loose in the car!

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    • Driving with an untethered animal is wrong in so many ways. Not only could it potentially distract the driver at “the wrong moment” but, more importantly, in the event of a sudden stop and/or accident, the dog becomes a missile. Not only can the dog be seriously inured, but so can anybody else in the car that gets hit by it! It really is a “no-brainer” isn’t it! 🙂

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  11. I will be on my best behavior if I know I am getting a yummy treat. 🙂 I am glad that he did so well at Tim Horton’s.
    I wonder if it would have been a woman at the landfill who had waved and smiled at Ray, if he would have had the same reaction. It still would have been a new place to him though, so maybe it wouldn’t have made a difference. Have you taken him to any other new places recently since his med reduction?

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