Jealous Jax: A foster tail

Everywhere you turn, it seems as though you see another stray dog running the streets and searching for food in the nearest garbage bag. The overpopulation of animals can be seen at any local shelter, and the need for foster homes are in short supply.

So what does a self-proclaimed dog whisperer do? Attempt to foster a puppy! I put heavy emphasis on the word “attempt.”

I found a puppy in the street and thought to myself, I can surely find him a home. So I took the puppy, who I quickly named Oliver, to my home. After a much-needed bath, I introduced him to my dogs. Nikolas, my Chihuahua mix, took to him quite well; however, Jax, my four-year old lab, saw him as a threat and made it his mission to get rid of him.

Jax resorted to playing the oldest trick in the book: he became the victim. I’ll hand it to him, he played the role well. He went into a full-blown depression mode. Jax stopped eating, he stopped playing fetch, refused to go for walks, and he didn’t sleep at night but rather paced all night in my room. I finally gave up being a foster parent when Jax started sending himself into corners to sit and stare at the wall for hours. My foster experience lasted only a week.

I ended up taking Oliver to the Houston Humane Society, where I knew he would be treated well. As for Jax, as soon as he got wind of Oliver’s departure, he quickly ran for his favorite tennis ball (but not before making a pit stop at the food bowl). Jax ended his role of victim and went back to being happy-go-lucky.

Some will call Jax a drama queen or a spoiled brat, but I’m calling him an agent. Someone give this dog an Oscar.