As life with a dog progresses, I’m struck by more and more dog-owner inspired phrases.
1) Keep them on a short leash.
This does help keep our Husky a little more in control. She’s easily overexcited by the appearance of a rabbit on her daily walks. It’s got such that we class the success of the walk on the basis of whether it was a no bunny, double bunny, or the too-rare quad bunny walk. We never left her off of the leash (yet another phrase), so she never catches anything, but it doesn’t dent her enthuesiam.
2) Barking up the wrong tree.
She’s good at this one. She doesn’t bark at trees. Actually she barely barks at all.
3) You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
Sidnei’s six or seven and I can assure you that she’s learnt a whole bundle of new things since she came to our house. She’ll shake hands for a treat (duh!) and she remembers every garden in which she’s ever spotted a bunny (see number 1).
Mind you, I think she’s training us at least as much as we’re training her …
What have animals taught you lately?
Cheers!
My dogs have reminded me that “every dog has it’s day”. So when I’m feeling doubt or insecure, I think back to that and remember…my day will come. No need to stress.
Hi Kitt
That’s one I often use when I get lucky and something works out my way. I think you’re right, dogs don’t stress over much, but when things a good they just enjoy the moment.
Cheers!
Unlike some of my human relatives and friends, the later I am getting home the happier they are to see me.
And they don’t ask me if they look fat in these pants.
LOL! You’re right Sharon, a dog pretty much takes you as you are with no judgements. Unless you come home with chicken as don’t give her a piece – as my daughter found out last week 🙂
Cheers!
When my cats were alive they lived strictly indoors, but I used to let them out occasionally for supervised playtime in the back yard. Morning was their favorite, when all the scents were fresh and the dew had washed everything clean. I learned the value of spending fifteen or twenty minutes just observing and enjoying the morning without trying to multi-task (because if I took my eyes off the cats for a moment, they were over the fence).
It was a valuable lesson, but I’d forgotten it since they’ve been gone all these years. Thanks for reminding me! Heading out to the back yard now…
Hi Diane. Your cats sound like they had you organized! But you’ve got a good point, pets can take us away from the stress of life to just enjoy the world for a while. Hope that back garden was good.
Cheers!
Of all the things I’ve learned from my dogs, the one that hits me is their unbridled Power of Expectation.
When we take one or the other (or, both) for a ride in the car, 19 times out of 20, it’s for a visit to the vet or the groomer. But, the sight of those leashes, and the cover for the back seat always sends them into glee dancing.
“Maybe this time! Maybe this time!
Dogs don’t let the bad (the no-dice on Doggie Dunk Day at Keller Pool or a swim in an outdoor pool) outweigh their expectation that “Maybe THIS time…”
Powerful lesson for a writer with a bulging file of “Thanks, but…” letters.
Hi Gloria
You’re right, a good lesson. Your dogs sound like ours. She is always hoping for the best.
Cheers!
My son has two Corgis. They are a bundle of enthusiasm. for a grumpy old man like myself that’s a good thing to have around.
Hi Jay
Corgis? That sounds distinctly royal. Ma’am would no doubt approve of his choice.
Yeah, Sidnei is bouncing up and down for a walk no matter how bad a day we’ve had. I beginning to learn that it’s a good thing to drag me out of my stupor.
Cheers!
I have cats, so…I haven’t taught them anything because they refuse to learn anything. Sidnei sounds so adorable though. And you’re lucky she isn’t a barker! On an average walk, how many bunnies does she encounter? Are they mostly single bunnies?
LOL. Yes, cats are pretty untrainable. I think they consent to use the litter box just because it pleases them to see their owners scoop the stuff out.
Sidnei is great. She sits at the doorway into my study while I write. The bunnies vary. Three is probably the average. As for whether they’re single, I’m sorry to say, I don’t know. I’ve handed them questionnaires, with pre-paid envelopes and everything, but to date the response has been poor.
Cheers!