Happy Belated National Dog Day

Lying at my feet right now is a darling fuzzy labradoodle named Eloise.  A happy pup that loves to cuddle and disdains getting her faced washed, and is one of several wonderful dogs that have been part of my life.  In honor of National Dog Day, I thought it would be fun to gather some of the lessons I have learned from these furry friends.

1.Loved ones should always be announced loudly and greeted with great enthusiasm.     2.Beware bunnies, they may really be ninjas in disguise and must be barked at or at least carefully monitored.     3.Enjoy quiet moments, taking time to smell the grass, the hydrant, the tree, and anything else that might have a smell.     4.When you are scared, get hugs from someone you trust. It helps.     5.Chores are more fun with helpers, especially when it involves doing dishes and digging holes.     6.Adventures are limitless outside the door, let’s go explore.     7.Choose gentleness and keep your temper, your bit being worse than your bark won’t necessarily solve anything.     8. No matter what, don’t chew up your favorite toy.     9.Empty toilet paper rolls are really treasures in disguise; there is limitless potential in such a little paper tube!     10.Big pickup trucks passing on the road can be noisy and scary, it’s really better to be riding in one.     11.The joy of seeing a friend doesn’t depend on how they look or are dressed, how much money they make or their job title – just be happy because they are there.     12.Play games, run fast and splash in the pool.     13.It’s easier to be brave when someone is brave with you.     14.If the fireworks are scary, bark back at them.     

15.Take naps, enjoy pillows, and snuggle.     16.Even if it sometimes sounds like gibberish, listen – it shows you care.     17.You have a personality; enjoy it, flaunt it, don’t even think about hiding it.     18.Drink lots of water – but not too much too fast, it upsets the belly.     18.Be gentle; when you smash the bug you are chasing, it doesn’t get back up again.     19.When you go away on a trip, you are missed – get ready for lots of love and hugs and kisses when you return.     20.Baby deer look like long legged puppies, they hop and run and are curious about the world around them.  Maybe we could be friends even if we are different.     21.Be faithful, sticking with each other through thick and thin.     22.The doctor’s office can be scary – go together and hold paws. And be on the lookout for treats – they have them!     23.Be present in the present. 

 24.Be curious. Does that little hoppy toad and the butterfly move? And, how many times can you run around the couch in circles before you get dizzy?     25.Hard work can be good stuff, especially when there is a treat, and an acknowledgement of a good job done.     26.Don’t watch scary movies alone – like the ones where there are 101 puppies…  There is a crazy lady in there!      27.Take care of each other, you may need help reaching that itchy spot or getting out the thistles.     28.Breathe deep, sigh good sighs, and stretch out your muscles; it’s not called downward dog for nothing. 

Eloise, Sierra, Buddy, Megan, Cole, Ginger, Bear, Mendy, Catie, Lady – they are all names that bring back memories of soft fur, happy tails, and lots of barking.  Take care of your dogs; they take such good care of their people. 

Puppy Dog Lessons

 Last weekend we loaded up and headed out to a nearby park for some unplugged down time, much needed and much enjoyed.  Besides vehicles packed with what we needed for staying in the cabins, we had all the packing for bringing all three of the dogs with us.  Two labs and one labradoodle came along, much to their delight.  They spent time splashing in the lake, sleeping in the sunshine, and stretched out on blankets.  We packed everything they would need.  And they packed in a few lessons along the way.

Jumping In

My sweet labradoodle pup is more a girly girl than not; more pillow than puddle.  So, while the labs jumped into the lake with abandon, she decided that sitting on the dock with me was just fine.  But, they must have looked like they were having such great fun.  I could see her wanting to join in, but she held back.  Unexpectedly and at a full run, she took off and launched into the water.  Sometimes, you just have to acknowledge the fear and jump in anyway. 

Oh, and she didn’t jump back in later, but she did manage to wade in up to her belly.

Dragon, Pillows, Air Conditioners – Gotta’ Lean into the Little Joys

Don’t leave home without your dragon (a.k.a. safety blanket).  My pup simply will not go to bed without her stuffed dragon.  So, dragon of course went along with us.  Pillows are our friends.  And for many of us, they are kind of an expected part of our bedroom set.  But, just because we are used to it, we don’t want to lose the joy of the feel of a pillow under our heads.  And, when you are in the car, it can feel good to lean into the air conditioner and really soak in the cool air.  Of course, not when you are driving…  It isn’t always the big things that are joys; it is a myriad of little things.

Be Happy To See Loved Ones

Whether I’m gone five hours or five minutes, I get a wonderfully enthusiastic greeting from my pup.  She is so happy that I am back with her.  Don’t forget to show others how happy you are to see them too!

Focus on the Stick

Before a dog can swim out and get a stick in a lake, they have got to know where the stick is.  So, they get focused and wait for it to be thrown, watching for the splash for where it lands.  If they get distracted, they would have no idea of where to look.  It is easy to lose focus, but when we need to keep our eye on the goal, it is time to look at the goal and don’t look away.

 

Don’t Just Notice – Do Something

An evening campfire was feeling better and better as the cooler night temperatures set in.  As we moved our lawn chairs closer, I noticed that my pup was showing signs of getting cold.  Getting ready to leave the fire and take her in, I reached down to pet her and noticed that I was touching two pups.  One noticed that the other was cold and moved over to cuddle in.  Next thing I know, they were both sound asleep and warm and comfy.  I often get so busy, I miss that someone else is having a rough moment.  And, if I miss it, I certainly can’t lend a hand or warmth. 

The dogs went on vacation with us, and taught a few lessons along the way.

Celebrate Each Day

   The brain child of a crack media team, the product of a marketing configuration, leads to a series of banners around the parks at Disney with the wonderful slogan, Celebrate Today. I really do love that idea, and yesterday had a reminder of how this is a choice.

   My beautiful chocolate lab, as she is approaching her tenth birthday, is having breathing problems. There is an obstruction in her nose. Currently, we don’t know what it is – whether polyp or cancer, But, whatever it is, it is leaving my independent girl as someone who wants held and touched. My heart is sad, and I’m concerned about her. Driving home, it struck me that this is the time of my choice. I can choose to celebrate today. It’s not that I’m ignoring what might be coming in the next days and months, but those days are not here yet. So, I’m choosing to celebrate today with Megan. I will enjoy her personality and her character. I choose to not ignore, but to celebrate regardless.

Puppy

   We are excited to welcome a new puppy into our lives in a few weeks. A little black male lab, he is just adorable, velvety soft, and has puppy breath. Puppies are such a joy. Yes, a lot of work – but they bring a great deal of laughter as well. Each one is unique, each with their own personality and preferences.

   There are nine in this litter, all beautiful little black labs. Meeting them for the first time yesterday, it was a reminder of what charm a litter of healthy and well cared for puppies has. The mother greeted us, still looking silky and shiny even as she cared for her babies. A mass of wiggly fur balls surrounded the food bowls. When they looked up, their little noses were smeared with puppy chow.
   Soon, all were off to explore their yard. Apparently, one had recently found a small inset pond and had fallen in. None repeated the swimming venture when we were there, but they did think it was a lovely water bowl. Puppies ran around our legs, grabbed at fingers and cuddled into our embraces. Two little girls in the litter held their ground and kept their brothers on the alert! Pounce, growl, smush, and there the boys were being sat on by their sisters.
   Puppies are a lot of work. They require care, attention, and a home that is puppy-proofed to keep it free from things which they could either hurt themselves or destroy with those teeth. They need patience as they learn what is and what is not accepted. Quick reminders and corrections, followed by a great deal of praise, and of course a stock of carpet cleaner and paper towels is needed. But, when you get past this, you find that there is a little creature full of love, just waiting to share with you.

The Wild Things

In my life, there are two beautiful Labrador retrievers, a chocolate brown lab that is older and quite reserved and a younger yellow lab pup. 

Megan, the chocolate, is my princess pup who holds herself in reserve, not wanting to do anything quite as common as running through mud puddles.  It’s really quite funny to open the door and watch her look out, look at me as if to say – “Ewwwww I will get my feet wet, I’ll hold it.  Thank you very much!”  Actually, she’s a lot tougher than most realize as she is also the one who has evicted (rather forcefully and permanently) a few of the neighboring groundhogs.  Megan has gotten lost overnight once, and that can be real stress for this pampered pooch (not to mention her person).  But, the thrill of the chase filled her mind and she went over a low fence, through neighbor yards until quite lost.  The next day, we got her back from the local Humane Society, where she was deposited after a ride in a police car.  I understand that she tried to get into the local ER – smart girl, headed for lights and people!  Yes, my sweet pampered girl has fully recovered from her moment of stress.  Now, it’s back to princess Megan, who watches TV (yes she really does know what is on the TV), prefers pillows and likes to be talked to.  I have a feeling that she humors me about half the time, the puppy the other half, but secretly wants to be in the center of attention – so long as she doesn’t have to get her feet wet that is.

Sierra, the Super Puppy, is not even a year old yet, but has these long legs that just won’t stop growing.  If you aren’t familiar with labs, they are puppies for two years, and require a substantial store of patience in that time. However, if you can hold on (and keep a large supply of chew toys and trash bags), you can have a great dog at the end of that time.  Sierra, is a blur much of the time as she is full of energy in every fiber, and is either full go or sound asleep.  Just like any other kid, she wants to play and lots of attention.  However, any of Megan’s disdain for dirt is bounded right over by Sierra as she finds the biggest mud puddles to jump and roll in.  That dirt may even be worth the bath that surely will follow.  Actually, the furry energy blur is quite loving and is eager to say hello and good-morning and come play with me.  It’s just that her approach is not always appreciated as it normally means that 70 plus pounds are flailed at you with four feet and a big sloppy kiss all at the same time.  And just like any other little energy filled wild child, she is absolutely adorable when asleep. 

They are the Wild Things, the sweet furry things, the table clearing (thus the trash bags) things, the bed sleeping pillow hog things, they are the sweet and wet dog kiss giver things, and always happier when they are with their people things.  Yes, they are the wild things – the personality filled, big expressive eyed, carrot and green bean loving things.  They are the wild things with a big spot in my heart.

Megan & Sierra

I have two furry friends that live in my home, two beautiful labs. Maybe you need to be a dog person to appreciate them, but they have such personalities. The chocolate lab, Megan, is my warrior princess. She will decline to get her feet wet or even damp in a heavy dew. However, ground hogs have felt her furry fury before. Megan is the only dog I have ever met who truly watches television. Don’t roll your eyes now, I mean it! Doggy shoes, bull riding, and horses – these are all favorites. However, certain people attract her attention as well. PBR comes on, the flash and the music, the action and the bright colors… But, it is the bulls she barks at. Don’t bark at the cowboys – that would just be silly. This is my pink girl, my girly girl, who doesn’t like to get dirty. Instead, she has a life of pillows and couches. My independent girl, she wants attention on her terms – but don’t forget to acknowledge her or refer to her as a dog, you will watch world class pouting begin.

The other lab, Sierra, is a yellow pup who I think would look wonderful in a mask and cape. She strikes me as a super hero puppy in training. Long legs let her fly around the yard, until I think she is ready to take off into the sky. This one is the fashion girl who wants to wear her collar and maybe another one too – just for the look. But, the mud puddles call her name, even though she hasn’t quite decided if it’s worth it to get that good and dirty if a bath is going to have to follow. The puppy energy is short lived and then, this sweet girl can be found with four feet in the air, pawing her dreams. I think butterflies must flit through her dreams, and that she chases them just like she chases them in the yard. Fluttery by butterfly - Sierra is in hot pursuit, jumping and pouncing, running and then watching with an amazement in her dark brown eyes as they fly up and away from her reach.

We have had many wonderful fur covered family members over the years. They have each been special and a part of our lives, bringing laughter and memories.

I think that one of the things that I most admire about these animals is there trust. When Megan is upset, she comes and sits on my lap. She trusts that I will be there to take care of her. When Sierra is hungry, she drops her plastic bowl on my feet and sits with trusting expectation that I will go get her food. I love their trust, their faith and confidence. I remember reading a note somewhere about how a doctor was being asked by a patient if they thought there was a God. The doctor said yes. The patient wanted to know how they could trust so comfortably, with such confidence. The doctor opened the door and his dog came in the room. The dog had not been in that room before, but because his person was in the room, he trusted that it was okay to come in. The doctor went on to relate how his faith was like that. I look at these girls, both so different in their preferences and personalities, and yet - they are wonderful examples of faith to me.