The Mirror

I've heard that many puppies bark at mirrors when they first see them. Kenny wasn't really one of those pups. Actually, it was the humans in the household who introduced him to the mirror, just to see his reaction. At first, Kenny just stared at it and sniffed it. (I read somewhere that dogs don't really react to mirrors because it doesn't have a smell, like another animal). Needless to say, Kenny wasn't too impressed with the mirror. However, we started saying things like "Kenny, look at the mirror! It's YOU!" and then Kenny started barking. Wether he was actually acknowleging his reflection, or just getting excited because we seemed happy, if still unknown. Oddly enough, a few months later, he stopped by to look at one of the full length mirrors one of the bedrooms, and started barking at it as if it was another dog. He immediately stopped when someone started paying attention to him, though. Maybe he was just doing that to get attention. He probably was, if I know Kenny!

Doors and the Crate

Kenny's cleverness in attention getting tactics never ceases to amaze me. If the door to his crate is three quarters shut, or any door in the house, for that matter, he will not make any attempt to bat the door open with his paw. He stands there and starts to whine pitifully, so one of us will come over, pat him on the head and open the door. However, if he really wants to get on the other side, he just shoulders his way through spaces he would normally refuse to go through. This usually occurs when he sees someone (especially a new person) and wants to greet them.

Snow

The first time Kenny saw snow, he sniffed it and then tested it with his paw. After a few seconds, he jumped in it and started rolling around and tunneling with his nose. He loves snow and the cold weather! Sometimes he'll just go out in the backyard in the wintertime, and lay on the snow covered ground, sniffing the wind.

The Dog Park (Off-leash zone)

Kenny likes playing with other dogs, and is always friendly if they are friendly towards him. He enjoys the dog park thouroughly (as he gets lots of exercise and makes new friends). He especially likes to run around and follow females (he is neutered, though). I find that he behaves very well when around other dogs; he'll come when called (when off-leash!) and listen to our commands.

Rodents

When we had hamsters (teddy bear hamsters, to be precise), Kenny was fascinated with them. Being a terrier, I supposed that he would pose a natural threat to them. Oddly enough, Kenny barked pitifully and pawed at the little rodent whenever I put 'Chico' in his play cage and excercise wheel . Then, one day, I made one of my sisters hold the dog so he couldn't hurt Chico, and let Kenny sniff the small ball of fur. I was very surprised to see Kenny lick my hamster like a mother dog licking her pups! He licked and licked the creature until it was wet with saliva, never harming him all the while. It was amazing! It seemed that Ken Ken just wanted to play with my small pet. Chico didn't seem to mind the licking, but the barking got on his nerves after a while!

Swimming

When Kenny goes up to the country, he really enjoys boat rides with the family. Swimming is a different story! One the one hand, he likes getting cooled off (once he's out of the lake), but he still has to perfect his swimming skills. The first time Kenny went swimming, he had his fluorescent orange dog life jacket on, and was very hesitant to go into the water. With some coaxing, we got him to walk around, and then swim. At first, he did the doggy paddle with his front legs coming high up out of the water, but after a day or two he learned to swim with all four legs under the surface. Every time we go up north he gets better at swimming!

The Country and Camping

When we go camping on Clement Lake (town of Wilberforce, near the Haliburton Highlands), Kenny is allowed to run off-leash all the time. Amazingly, he stays right near us, and only wanders off to explore the bush in the daytime. At night, he's nervous because he hears all the other forest animals on the prowl around our tent. For the first few nights, he curled up in a small ball, and crammed himself into a corner of the tent or between out cots. Every once and a while he would growl softly and bark. Fortunately, he quickly learned that he is not the king of the forest, and stopped growling at night.

Kenny enjoys the country a lot. He chases small toads and frogs (but doesn't get too close!) and sniffs the trails made by animals in the bush. If it gets too sunny and hot, he makes his way through the bushes and digs a shallow pit to lay in. This, however, does not agree with his coat. If we didn't keep his coat short, he'd be covered with raspberry twigs!

Although he has a great time exploring the forest, Kenny is always very happy to return to his suburban home, where he is chief of security!

The Bathtub

It is a well documented fact that wheatens love lying on cold hard surfaces. Ken is no exception to the rule. Many a night, when he feels tired he jumps into the master bathroom tub, and falls fast asleep. Unfortunately, he can't get out of the tub by himself, as he once tripped over the side of the bathtub and gave himself a smack. So now he whines when he wants out, and is promptly lifted out. Who's training who here?

Ice Cube!

After walkies, Kenny is always tired (probably 'cause he pulls on the leash so much!) and panting. When we get in the door, the first thing he expects us to say is, "Ice Cube!" Meaning, of course, that we intend to give him a large freezing ice cube from the freezer. He especially appreciates this gesture in the summertime, but crunches just as happily on the cube in the winter.