OCD or LAB?

I always find it entertaining watching my Labs eat. They eat with reckless abandon and lust, like I have never seen. I like to eat, I live to eat, but I don't think I come even close to the obsession of the Labrador. Brock's food intake officially increases tomorrow from 1C 2x per day to 1 1/2C 2x per day. I've been increasing his food for the last few days, working our way up. He is INHALING his food to the point that I'm worried about bloat, so I've been taking up his bowl halfway through the meal to let him settle down a little bit. I forgot tonight and he promptly barfed up half his meal and quickly recycled it. (Like Berdy would ever even THINK of eating something icky. Puh-lease!)

The after dinner ritual that is being perfected is a quite a sight to see. I've partially noticed it, but the last few feedings have stood back and observed in amazement. Now, Amber and Berdy used to check the other's bowl as soon as they were done eating, but this is a whole new level of OCD.

For Brock, it goes something like this: OMG OMG OMG - she took that red bowl downstairs. OMG I can't WAIT till she comes back up. Here she comes, I'm SO excited, I get to eat!! Waiting "patiently" while she puts water in our bowls. Dang, sissy always gets her bowl first. OK, now now now - RUN as fast as my little body will carry me into the other room and around the corner. DIVE into my crate - I wish Mommy would move FASTER. I'm going to STARVE to death here. She's finally here -hyper hyper hyper, dang she's going to make me sit again. I sit quietly, SUCCESSS - FOOD! Inhale, inhale, inhale. Barf, recycle.

(OK, this is where it gets amazing.) Did I finish everything? lick, lick, lick OK, I'm done. (takes one step away - about face) Better make sure - lick, lick, lick the bowl. Got it. (takes one step away - about face) Did I get everything? I can't remember. lick, lick, lick the bowl. OK, now I got it. (takes three steps away) I can't remember if I got it ALL. About face - lick, lick, lick. OK, now I know I've gotten every morsel. (gets halfway to the dining room) Better just make SURE that I got every drop and morsel. About face - lick, lick, lick. OK, now I"m good to go. (Goes into kitchen to lick Berdy's bowl) lick, lick, li... hey - did I get everything out of MY bowl? I better go back to make sure...

I haven't counted yet, but I'm guessing there's a ritual developing. I'd guess he returns back to his bowl no less than 6 or 7 times and returns to Berdy's bowl at least twice. The level of obsessive compulsive behavior around licking that bowl clean is wacky, even by Lab standards. Next installment: How Brock is channeling Christopher Walken. More cow bell!