I took this photo at nearly 9 a.m. on a recent summer morning. All the other dogs had been outside, doing their business, since about 7:30 a.m. But Darla, possessed of a wonder bladder, had no interest in going outside yet, despite the fact that she’d been inside since about 8?p.m. the night before. One of the common refrains around here each morning is, “Has Darla been out yet?”
In this case, Darla knew I was looking to put her outside for her first-of-the-day potty break, and had gone up the stairs to try and hide out in her room. She hadn’t counted on the gate being latched.
So that’s where I found her.
You can tell from her face that she knows she’s about to be made to do something she doesn’t want to do yet. We haven’t actually tested the limits of her bladder — and don’t want to! — but she can hold it longer than any dog we’ve ever known. (I’d give anything for a bladder like that!) On this morning she was at 13 hours and still not in any rush to go pee.
I coaxed my reluctant girl down the stairs and outside, and before long she was back inside and headed up to her room again. This time with an empty bladder.
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Shelter Challenge Update — $1,000 For The Dogs!
We received an email from the Shelter Challenge people late last week’saying we had won $1,000 in the latest round, coming in first in New Hampshire again. Thank you to everyone who voted for the farm! That’s an amazing gift for the animals here, and we are so grateful for your votes that made it possible!
Ya gotta love Darla! She is such a character! Wish I had her bladder! LOL!
Yes, I’ll take that bladder!! Congratulations on the Shelter Challenge win!
My 16 year old Springer has to pee every hour to hour and a half. I should send her to Darla for some training, LOL!
We had a dog that, as a young adult, would not pee anywhere but her own yard. She was my daughter’s 4-H dog, and when we went to the state fair, this was a problem. We’d get up at 5:30, to leave the house at 6:30. Before we left, we’d try to get her to do the deed, and she’d look at you like, “I just did it at 5:30, why you want me to do it again?” So, off we’d go for a full day of competition, and she’d pee again at home, about 8pm, over 14 hours. She’s 12 now, but still is never in a hurry in the morning to go outside. Geez.
Goodness!!! That’s a long time. She must really like being in the security of her house/room.
I just reread the story of Darla’s room. She has you under her paw & I love it!!!
Miss Darla is one very spoiled girl! This next shelter challenge is a quick two weeks. I wonder if there will be more dog beds coming your way if you win? I’m sure the shelters in your area thank you for sharing. Everyone has to start voting today! Let’s go!!
Sweet Darla! VOTED!!
Hmm, a dog that doesn’t want to go outside, that’s unusual. My dogs are always eager to go out, at any time of day or night, although they are often not very interested in getting down to business. It’s so much more fascinating to sniff the ground than to pee on it… Darla looks very cute at the top of the stairs, patiently waiting.
I agree Barb – let’s go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!