stoutfellow | A Yorkshire Gag

There is a thing that Gracie does - has done, for the ten-plus years she's lived with me - that is, frankly, kind of scary. It happens most often when she's excited, and it sounds like she's choking. It stops after a while, but it disturbs me a lot. I've mentioned at Hawthorne Animal Hospital, but they've pretty much shrugged it off.

Now, I have stumbled on the explanation, in, of all places, the linguistics blog Language Log. (Scroll down to the second video.) It's a breed-specific thing, the "pharyngeal gag reflex"; all Yorkies do it, and it's nothing to worry about.

I am relieved.