Why We Give Elka People Food

Last week, in North Carolina, my family was on vacation as well. At dinnertime, Elka was very attentive of what was going on with regards to peoples' plates (at at non-nose touching distance, but close sometimes), and I did confirm that yes, she will eat a baked potato (she loves them, even plain!)

Because, you see, we do give Elka people food. It ranges from kind of junky (the occasional french fry) to the most virtuous (green beans, chicken breast), but it is something that we do, and something that we decided we were going to do before we even brought her home.

Of course, there are rules. If we're going to share with Elka, there's a certain level of behavior we expect. She may not be on our plates, or on the table. She may not be fussing or whining, or she gets nothing (think of Sgt. Schultz here).

We see a lot of behaviors get thrown out when Elka very desperately wants the food you're eating. She'll sit, obviously. And testify. And lay down. Sometimes she'll crawl, or spin. You can ask for at least three things before it isn't really fair anymore and you really should just give her something. Of course, sharing Elka with your food is not a requirement; our housemate hardly ever does, and at least one of our friends never has. She still hopes, though!