Monday

As most of you reading this will know, Isis has self-harming rages. The trigger for these is frustration. Frustration occurs when she ‘loses’ bits of her food or treat; when she has to stand still to have her harness put on  before leaving the house for a walk; when I restrain her to interrupt her continuous ‘fly-snapping’ ; or if I thwart her, for example, hold her back while I open a door.

I have tried very hard to pre-empt the rage triggers, and it is now over a week since she last made her foot bleed.

Eating times are the most predictable trouble spots. I think that this is because she is so food focused. She works herself into a frenzy, growling defensively, and falls on her food with such force that she knocks bits out of her bowl. She can’t see the lost morsels, flies into a whirling rage and attacks her back feet.

My Isis, I believe, has an insatiable appetite. Tomorrow my theory will be tested.

Kerry and Garry of Aeza (see footnote) recommend that all of her dried food is given to her at breakfast time and topped up as necessary throughout the day. Hopefully, she will realise that food will always be available and become calmer when eating.

I fantasise that she will not stop eating.

We will see.

Isis came from the Aeza cat and dog rescue and adoption centre in Aljezur, Portugal. For information about adopting an animal from the centre, contact kerry@aeza.org or  www.dogwatchuk.com