A paroxysm of inspiration
From time to time our Filthy Terrier does this strange thing that's like a cross between a hairball cough and a mild asthma attack. It doesn't seem to bother her and we've never managed to get her to perform it for the vet so we've never known what it is. Until now. We've found out that it's a non-perilous and common condition known as the 'reverse sneeze' or - more wonderfully - as a 'paroxysm of inspiration'.
Litopia is the winner
Other Breeds Do This
I used to help raise and breed Chinese Shar Pei and they sometimes do the same thing. Frightening at first because it's accompanied by an all-over body shake but funny once you know it's not serious.
So that's what it's called
Our sheep dog cross makes that noise all the time. A relief to know it's a named condition and not just something he made up to worry us.
The other two dogs give him sidelong glances when he does it, as if to say "how common".
Where's the dictionary.
Love the title!
Our old fox terrier Tex died
Our old fox terrier Tex died in 2003 and we still miss him and mention him regularly. Biggest dog personality we've ever shared house space with. He used to get filthy, too, but he never achieved the degree of filthiness yours has in that photo! I'd love to see an "after" shot of your bathroom that day.
That was her filthiest ever.
That was her filthiest ever. You can see from her happy smile how very pleased with herself she was. She got bathed in the garden shortly after I took that shot.
They love it, don't
They love it, don't they?
I've just dragged my family in to see your photo, and we're all chuckling and talking about Tex again. Recently, there's been a strong push from the youngsters for us to get another fox terrier, which we older and more "sensible" ones are resisting for now. Our GSD Jacob (Tex's relief, although he doesn't know it) has got used to being the only dog in the family since his older brother Harry died three years ago, and we're concerned he would take his jealousy out on any pup we introduced now. It wouldn't be fair on either dog.
Your girl is delightful.
You could try a rescue - I
You could try a rescue - I think there is a dedicated fox terrier rescue out there somewhere. That way you'd bypass the exuberant puppy annoyances.
Zippy (the filthy fox terrier) is really my partner's dog and at first I was concerned about how my ageing, devoted and jealousy-prone Dobe would take to her. Four years on, he absolutely loves her and she bullies the hell out of him. We're one big happy family now.
We've considered that. Tex
We've considered that. Tex was a rescue dog who worked out great and, yes, he ended up bossing twice-as-big Harry around too! But we think Jake really would suffer. He's a serious jealous-pants and we love him too much to introduce unnecessary stress into his life.
My partner says that if you
My partner says that if you ever need a fox terrier fix, you're welcome to borrow the Filthy One for as long as you like ...
Tell him: thanks. I might
Tell him: thanks. I might take him up on that.