Buddy has a phobia

Have I ever told you that our dog is DEATHLY afraid of little flies? Afraid of big doberman pinchers? Nope. Armadillos? No siree- they looked like ideal playmates to him in CS. Flies. And let me tell you that flies are not easy to catch/kill/silence, especially when you have a belly and you aren't supposed to be jumping or climbing on cabinets.

We saw this phobia when we first moved into the townhome last summer and the movers kept the door open all day to get the boxes and furniture in. It took us forever to clear out the flies. During that week, Buddy refused to eat and would dock his tail, run upstairs, and hide under the bed. It seemed crazy! His entire body would be shaking when you held him.

Yesterday I ducked out of a ministry mobilization meeting at church so that I could run home and feed the little guy around his usual time. Unfortunately one little fly decided to follow me into the house. As soon as Buddy could hear it buzzing in the kitchen, there was no hope for getting dinner down at that point. He ran into the powder room and cowered in the dark right next to the toilet. I didn't know whether to laugh or scoop him up and hold him. I think I did a little of both. I tried to get him to eat by the couch in the living room, but he must have still been able to hear the buzzing. He wriggled out of my arms and ran upstairs to get under the bed. So much for mommy being a comforting place!

Do your pets have strange phobias?