This Rescue Dog Has An Adorable Obsession With His Food Bowl

If I could get away with carrying around a bowl so people filled it up all the time, I would too.

Rachel

• Published in Animals
• April 24, 2019

As former (human) babies, I’m sure a lot of us remember having an attachment to an inanimate object; such as a blanket or soft-toy. For me, it was a pink teddy bear I named Emily and to this day I will still bite anyone that tries to touch her.

The same attachment to objects can be found in animals too. Animals also find comfort in cuddling or playing with the same items over and over again. It’s super cute, too. Some dogs always manage to steal your favourite pair of socks because they’re their favourite as well, and some cats always like to sleep on the same pillow. But this dog? This dog is a little different altogether. 

Meet Oliver; who ended up in a shelter.

He was discovered in a family’s backyard and every time they tried to catch him; he would jump the fence—thinking it was a game! Finally, he was caught and taken to Memphis Animal Services.

Staff could tell that he had already had a home in his life, as he was reasonably trained and understood social cues.

Katie Pemberton, community engagement specialist at Memphis Animal Services, met Oliver the first day he arrived. She told The Dodo that Oliver sat for her immediately—even before knowing she had treats. As he got to know her, the more he loved her.

Oliver’s other love is food.

He got to attached to his food bowl that he started to carry it around with him!

Pemberton said:

“The very first night he got here, our field supervisor passed by his kennel in our ACO intake room and noticed him with his bowl in his mouth. His cute trick was very effective because she gave him more food! Then when he moved to his permanent kennel, he kept doing it. He had his bowl in his mouth most of the time.”

Staff are unsure whether Oliver was taught this trick for fun, or whether the poor dog was used to going hungry and was concerned if he let go of his bowl, he wouldn’t be fed again.

Oliver kept carrying his bowl around; and staff began to post pictures to social media.

After his photos went viral, a lot of people started falling in love with the doggo. 

A family and a bowl? What more could a dog want!

Oliver was adopted!

Best of all, he got to take his bowl with him.

Rachel