Survival of the fittest

Recently Ben and I watched a program about what would happen if humans just disappeared from the Earth.  One of the things that struck Ben is that they figured small dogs would live for about two weeks before they were ultimately eaten by larger dogs or other animals.  I give Rufus about 24 hours.  

Rufus

Case in point was Rufus this morning, when I went to let him out of his kennel he stayed in.  Not normal, but then again this dog is a little odd.  At first I thought it was because the baby was blocking his exit, so I removed her.  Still he did not move. Turns out he had gotten his back leg stuck in the fur of his ear while trying to scratch himself.  This is not the first time this has happened.  I'm just wondering how long he had been in that position.  All night?  I picked him up and freed the fur from around his nail (perhaps it is time for a nail trim).  I then ushered him outside. A few moments later he was howling (I hope the neighbors were not home because it clearly sounded as if someone was torturing the dog).  Again, I freed him from his predicament.  Next, I combed out his fur so that he would not get stuck in his tangles.  But what if no one was here to trim his nails, comb his fur, and free him from himself? Then there is the question of food and water.  24 hours, if Chevy doesn't get to him first.