When I have cereal for breakfast, the routine is always the same. Right now I'm working on a box of Raisin Bran Crunch, and I like it best with a banana cut up into it. As soon as I pull a banana off the bunch, I can count on having company.
Ruby loves banana. She knows right where to be for the process, too ... the cabinet in front of her nose contains a pull-out trash can, where she knows I will be standing when I peel the banana.
Notice that she's still lying on the rug, even though she knows that the banana is peeled and she's practically drooling with anticipation. This is because we have trained her well ... she has to sit to get treats and she has to lie down to get the REALLY good stuff (like cat food cans and banana pieces.)
I break off a little piece of banana butt, give it to her, and our morning routine is complete.
This started years ago with Daniel. He used to hang out in the kitchen, hoping for a treat or a scrap, which he rarely got. I had a brainstorm one day, and I began to experiment with different foods, to see what he would and wouldn't eat, taking advantage of his excitement. Found that banana was one of his favorite things. He always used to get a really funny look on his face while he was chewing it. When Ruby joined the family last year, she was cautious about banana at first ... but big-brother Daniel liked it, so she figured that she would, too.
... and the tradition continues.
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1 hour ago