Trust but Verify

Lena has developed a new -- and annoying -- habit.

We have to give her pain pills, three times a day, which apparently are somewhat bitter. She has taken to resisting these, and now spits them out even if they are pushed way back down into her jowls. So we have started concealing them in treats she is offered. But, newly suspicious, she no longer accepts treats with her usual "Gulp First, Sniff Second" approach. Each treat is now carefully inspected, sniffed, nibbled on, and then torn apart to make sure no bitter medicinal is hiding inside. It is rather incredible behaviour from an animal who has in the past cheerfully eaten (or tried to eat) toads, rat poison, loofahs, crayons, dishwasher tabs, and plastic bags. Even this morning a chunk of waffle was carefully torn apart prior to consumption so that she could be sure that no little indentation concealed an unsavory nugget. So we have resorted back to force feeding the pills, which is only somewhat better than the way hunger strikers in Guantanamo are getting fed.

Despite their long and large ears, Bassets don't listen to logical explanations well.