Puppy winter Olympcs

The Petes: Pete, Petie and Repete. Photo by Brenda Zimmerman.

By Brenda Zimmerman

for the Salisbury Post

I watched the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics. As much as I enjoyed the show, I realized that my own household was hosting an Olympic program all its own.

Some rather odd convergences of circumstance have turned my house into a temporary canine zoo of sorts. In addition to a small frisky Schnoodle Gracie, and her aging Schnauzer mom Scooter, I have custody of one ADHD Yorkie named Joey and three 10-week-old Schnauzer pups: Pete, Repete and Petie. The names for the pups are not permanent but I needed a way to identify them. How this canine sitter conglomerate happened is not nearly as exciting as the joy they have brought.Though there are about 10 available rawhide chews scattered on what use to be my immaculate, unchristened carpet, it appears that the pups all want the same one at the same time. One of the first events I monitored was the STRAIGHT AWAY RELAY. This is not so much a race of speed as one of endurance.

Pete grabs the chew, heads to the hallway and settles into a serious gnawing mode, when suddenly Petie rounds the corner to snatch the baton and move a few feet down. While Pete is attempting to compose himself and decide on the next move, Repete comes out of nowhere to make a fly by grab and heads all the way to the end of the hall. Pete realizes a well timed pounce will catch everyone off guard and regains the baton. This particular relay lasted for 20 minutes one evening.

The EAR YANK AND PULL competition is most likely to begin as the puppy mosh pit begins waking after a nap: a stretching paw in one eye, a snap at a lightly wagging tail, a curled lip. In a flash the moment changes from nuzzling affectionately to a full ear pulling, neck chewing and serious growling event. Before any one suffers at the nips of tiny needle teeth, the judges call it. This prevents any serious injuries to team members.

The PIDDLE POO AND RUN event is specifically engineered to annoy the human presence. Starting time varies. This highly synchronized round baffles the three adult dogs. Set to the music of Three Blind Mice, repeat after me: Piddle, Poo 'N Run; Piddle, Poo 'N Run. The first lane runner sets off a chain reaction of "episodes" that occur in rapid succession one after another until every member of the team has piddled and pooed. All three zoom around the corner and look back at the very noisy human armed with a spray bottle and paper towels.

The DOWNHILL BELLY FLOP was mastered on the out door track that led from the deck to the yard. Tenuous steps into snow and ice led the team to the edge of what they realize should be the first of four stair steps. The white fluffy stuff beneath their bellies gives way and one by one they slide with a smoothness that would make a mother penguin proud. Though it is too close to call a winner, Petie did get extra points for the style and artistry of the head over heels move.

As the trio ventures into the slick field that used to be the yard, the SINGLES SKATING begins. Each of the required elements was included in their routines: the two and half Bambi followed by the flip-flopped brake and the nose snow dive. Scores of 10 all around! Golden milk bones as trophies.

The final event of the evening was the TABLE LOOP RUN. The three youngsters start in a circular chase around the coffee table. Form is important in this event. A rapid tight stride reminiscent of Wiley Coyote: all feet under the belly, all feet out, all feet under, all feet out. Head to tail contact at all times, full extension, and they are off. All three are coming around the track at full speed, with superior commentary from the edge of the couch as Gracie chases them from her perch. They run so hard, it is amazing that they do not turn into butter like the famous tigers in a children's story of long ago. Instead they dissolve into a pile of puppy fuzz and spent energy for a nap.

Joey, Scooter and Gracie steal away to eat undisturbed. The pups twitch and grunt as they dream of Olympic events in their future: Puppy Sugar and Endearment, Tail Nipping, Senior Grass Chewing and Growl OffsÉÉmedal hopefuls for 2012.

In two weeks my lively charges will all go to their respective new homes. Joey will go home to his family, back from vacation to bounce off the walls practicing his very authoritative yap. Scooter will come out of her sheltered hiding spots to reclaim her favorite spot on the couch. Gracie can ease up on her Gold Medal performance in the SPOILED BRAT PAWING AND WHINING event.

Long after the carpet is cleaned, the kennel crate packed away and the Reeboks are replaced, I will remember the canine version of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in my living room.