Keppy's Habit

One thing Keppy does that is funny is she does "thumb-sucking" where she grabs the fat part of someone's thumb and sucks on it like she is nursing. I suppose because Keppy never could nurse her mommy due to her cleft she has this need. This gives Keppy calmness and reassurance. Keppy's vet says in all his years of practice he has never seen anything like it. Here is a picture of Keppy sucking on Momma K's wrist at the vet's office. Keppy prefers sucking on the left thumb, although once in a while she will want a right thumb-sucking. When Keppy feels bad she does not want a thumb-sucking, so it is always a good sign when Keppy wants to do this. Sometimes she is very insistent and pulls Momma K's hand with her paw to bring it within reach. Also, poor Momma K if other dogs should come near while Keppy is thumb-sucking. She clamps down on Momma K's thumb as if to say "MY THUMB! Get away you other dogs!".

This leaves dents in Momma K's thumb.