First off, Lewis apologizes for being so lazy during the holidays.  He explained to me the effect that the tryptophan in turkey has on him, although he also said that some later studies say all of that sleepiness talk was a myth…he’s just lazy after stuffing himself on, well…stuffing.

Which brings me to the subject of this post-holiday blog:  Countersurfing.  I first heard the term from a work colleague who raises, shows (and polices) three Weimaraners.  The term refers to when a taller breed of dog stands on its hind legs to survey the kitchen counter for what might resemble food.  After all, the owner might completely forget that they own a dog and not feed him or her who without opposable thumbs could never work the can opener.  So up they go, looking, sniffing, countersurfing.

It’s a similar tactic for the Bumpus hounds:

Countersurfing is one of those rare instances when having a 140-pound dog works to your advantage (scaring the hell out of an intruder also comes to mind).  Gravity plays an important4 part in this concept of countersurfing.  Isaac Newton’s contribution to the world of science also contributed to the preservation of the family meal.  You just can’t throw 140 pounds around like an apple falling from a tree.

Nonetheless, as the Bumpus hounds demonstrated, a determined dog will find a way to separate you from your food.  In Lewis’ case, it’s the possession of a panda bear face looking straight (as in the same level as your face) at you with those eyes….brown and soulful.

I hate it when he does that!

His other method is what I call a modified countersurf.  He is so tall, he simply lays his muzzle on the edge of the counter just to make sure you were vigilant in moving food away from the edge.  He rarely resorts to this method, because of that look.  Have I mentioned his brown and soulful eyes?

I hate it when he does that.

As the 140-pound description certainly implies, he is quite successful as a mooching pooch.  I’ve only seen Lewis countersurf one time, right after we adopted him.  I wondered why he never did it again after that.  Then I realized, he doesn’t need to go to all that trouble.  All he needs to do is look at us with those brown and soulful eyes.

I hate it when he does that!

We sometimes try to sneak eat when he is out in the yard, or even ignore him (HA!).  But when it comes down to it, I share with him, thinking about a time in the future when I will wish he was sitting beside me again, looking at me with those brown, soulful eyes….

I love it when he does that.