The Katzke Dog Diary

As spring has sprung, Henry seems to have come out of whatever shell he was in. I can’t explain it other than that … he still won’t stay in the crate for very long (and I still can’t figure out how he’s getting out), but other than that he’s a different dog entirely.

Gone are many of the unreasonable nervous “flashes” that once characterized his behavior. He’s still shy, but he’s not automatically anxious. He doesn’t beg. He doesn’t prance in place when he can’t make up his mind. He’ll engage Eowyn in play and chase her in toys, and he’s properly submissive to her when she demands it, and challenging at other times … not automatically freaked the heck out like he used to be. It’s an interesting change, and I don’t know how to define it otherwise.

The downside: I can’t turn my back on him sometimes. He’s downright CLEVER about raiding the compost pile, filching things off the countertop that might be good to chew on, and finding things to eat that aren’t for doggies. (Now if he’d just play with his toys and leave he stuff on the counter alone…)

I’ve been reducing his prozac dose over the past month or two, but haven’t had time to do much with either Henry or Eo because my work schedule has been ratcheted up and I’ve had garden and other chores to do every minute. Since he seems to have come out of his shell somewhat, I’ve taken him off of the prozac entirely as of last Saturday … we’ll see what happens. Maybe my long, dark, psychodoggy night is over!