Hmm. Milkbone seems to be coming in as the favorite of kids everywhere. :-)
billyporter: Maltese have been bread for centuries as companion dogs, originally for ladies of the aristocracy who often carried the tiny dogs around everywhere in the sleeves of their gowns leading to the term 'sleeve dogs'. Unfortunately, all the centuries of breeding specifically as companions has made these dogs overly dependent on human companionship and ill suited to time alone. Still there are times when I need a break from Widget for a few minutes; He's like a toddler who never grows up. Last night was the 1st time I ever tried singing for him, but it seemed to work. Talking also worked, but I quickly ran out of things to say. My loud and emphatic rendition of Old MacDonald seemed to entertain him (probably made him laugh) with the 'oink-oinks' here and 'moo-moos' there, here an 'arf', there a 'ruff'.
Years ago I was the caregiver for my mother who had early onset Alzheimer's. To survive in that situation, you must of necessity learn creative ways to placate and sooth those with whom you cannot reason.
