I've always had normal pets. I've had dogs all my life and I've adored them, but they've always acted like, well, dogs.
I now have 2 Jack Russell Terriers. These dogs don't act like any dogs I've ever seen.
They are 3 years old. Not sibs, but we only had Maggie about a month longer than we've had Starr. They've grown up together even though I don't think Maggie's ever gotten over the usurper Starr entering the picture. It's a constant, albeit gentle, war of dominance for Starr, especially. She's smaller and it kills her. I've seen her stretch up on tiptoe to stand taller than Maggie.
Maggie is, quite honestly, portly. Part of the problem is that Starr, who is much more interested in playing than eating, often grabs a few bites and takes off. Maggie is left to clean the plate. Feeding them separately is desirable, but not always possible.
Every evening they get a chewy treat. Something to keep them occupied for at least a little while. I can't throw a ball 24 hours a day. The other members of the household need sustenance and clean laundry.
Every night, it's the same ritual. I hand them both a chewy and they take off. Starr to my bed and Maggie to the rug in the hall way outside of my bedroom. For this game, Starr has to be able to see Maggie, but doesn't want her in the same room. They've worked out this detail themselves.
Maggie immediately goes to work on the chewy. It takes her a good half hour to 45 minutes to finish it off.
Starr lays on the bed, her eyes fixed on Maggie with the chewy laying between her front paws... untouched. I've seen Starr fall asleep with her head held up waiting for Maggie to finish.
The instant Maggie finishes, Starr jumps off the bed and lays beside Maggie on the rug and begins to delicately nibble on her chewy, holding it between her front feet. Maggie watches out of the corner of her eye. When Starr catches Maggie looking, she growls menacingly. You've never seen a dog savor a treat as much as Starr does. I've seen her tilt her head back and close her eyes while chewing. That chewy is the most wonderful thing she's ever tasted.
If the dance gets interrupted, and Maggie gets distracted by someone coming in or a noise in another part of the house and if she goes to investigate, I've seen Starr chase after her and brush up against her with that damn chewy looking like a big fat cigar in her mouth.
It reminds you of your little brother taunting you with his Halloween stash after you've finished all the good stuff of your own.
I expected it from my little brother, but what possible instinctual behavior could this teasing be based on?
Cindy