ArcaMax

Dear Cathy,

I am having a problem with my terrier who has many toys but insists on burying both of his orange toys. When I dig them up in the yard, he seems sad and embarrassed. This has been going on for several years.

Is there any explanation for this? I have been asking around about this, but so far no one has been able to explain this behavior.

- Ann Marie, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Dear Ann Marie,

Dogs generally bury things they covet and want to save for later, such as food or a bone. He may have a special affinity for these toys and just not want anyone else to have access to them. Maybe they give off a strange scent he finds offensive, and so he buries them. It's hard for us to know. It's most likely a coincidence the toys are both orange, but you could buy a third orange toy to see what he would do.

The sad behavior he exhibits when you dig up his toys is more likely the realization that he will have to bury them again. Don't dig up his toys for the next month and see what he does. If he leaves them in the ground, humor him and then leave them in the ground, too. He obviously finds some comfort in keeping them there.

Dear Cathy,

I want to get a houseplant for my kitchen table that will not poison my cat. The vet gave me a list of plants that are not compatible with cats. I gave the list to the local florist who said that every plant that they can order from their wholesaler is on the list.

To approach this from the positive side, do you have a list of houseplants that are suitable around cats? Is there any way to find out which of those plants will do best in direct sunlight because I want the plant to be near a south-facing window? The florists that I contacted all wanted me to tell them which plant I wanted rather than research cat-friendly plants that do best in the direct sunlight.

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