5 Things I Should Learn From My Dog
I honestly admire my dog Maddy. I do realize she's not human, but she is a pretty great dog. And when they say that sometimes people grow to remember their pets, well I would rather resemble Maddy than any other pet I know.
Five things I should learn from Maddy:
1. Ask for something if you want it. Maddy is direct about her needs. She doesn't sit there getting frustrated or angry at me because I didn't guess what she needed before she told me.
2. No feeling sorry for yourself. Over the past year Maddy has developed a problem in her right shoulder - the vet is still trying to figure out exactly what's going on, but something is causing her pain, and the various medicines and treatments we've tried so far have not completely solved the problem yet. Sometimes her leg hurts her still. I know, because she limps. Her tirelessly cheerful attitude when she's feeling pain is heartbreaking and at the same time makes me feel a little ashamed of times I've wallowed in self pity because of a rough situation. There's just no point to it.
3. Be unabashedly curious. If there's a rustling in the weeds, Maddy must know what it is. If further investigation reveals that the rustling in the weeds was caused by her own wagging tail, she is not embarrassed. She is just satisfied to know what that rustling was.
4. Live in the moment. I tend to overanalyze sad things or worry about the future. Not Maddy. She hates baths, but the moment she's out of the bathtub, she's thrilled. She's running around looking like a crazed wet ewok. And then suddenly she's interested lizard or a scent in the air and she forgets she's even wet. It's that simple.
5. Go ahead and get your hopes up. Maddy is endlessly excited to hear a hard boiled egg crack because about once a year I give her one as a special snack. Seriously, it's only about once a year - she's had less than a dozen eggs in her entire life. So she knows that 99% of the time she hears it, that egg is not going to be for her . But even when the egg isn't hers and the magical egg opportunity passes, she still is left wagging her tail and looking around with happy eyes, as if just thinking about how great things could be cheered her up.
-Brigitte
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Comments
Jessica @ Domesticated-Bliss Friday, April 23, 2010
You have an awesome dog :) I love reading about you two's adventures!
www.domesticated-bliss.blogspot.com
romeo Friday, April 23, 2010
my views on pet "ownership' are rather variable as i've traveled frequently much of my life far more often than most and never really had the chance to ever settle down in any particular location -an occupational hazard per se.
plants we're typically my choice of companionship. yet i've always had this uncanny ability to empathize with creatures in duress or distress in the enviroment. i've noticed how many animals are quite capable of intelligently communicating or vocalizing as they are very easily capable of devotion. to commune with them is effortless and am sooner delighted by being entrusted with their care. most of the "pet's" i've had we're feral or lost.
i've learned how powerful the sense of touch is and how deliberate a connection it has with sound -whether it be emotional, tactile or vibrational as there is a mutual symbiosis that reflects the interconnectedness and interdependence in life which evidently occurs unseen that defies space or time.
when a dog looks in the mirror
the approach may be awkward, sometimes amusing but always a joy.
Mike Saturday, April 24, 2010
They say dogs sometimes resemble their owners... in personality and sometimes even the way they look : )
Yes, Maddy is the perfect dog.
Joe436 Saturday, April 24, 2010
I miss my dog. Everytime I had a hamburger, he would make sure I shared it with him.
Happy Talk Like Shakespeare Day!
Mike Saturday, April 24, 2010
This is so true. Numbers 2 and 4 especially. How easy we can fall into self-pity and how damaging it can become if done for more than 5 minutes. lol
And living in the moment...it's amazing how awesome we are at any task or how much enjoyment we can get out of life when we give ourselves completely to experiencing the moment.
Pets are definitely amazing.
Marie M.C. Saturday, April 24, 2010
Maddy darling -- I don't know you personally but if I did I'd give you a big hug and a yummy piece of boiled chicken. Or do you prefer hot-dogs? (Shh, we won't tell mom). Brigitte is blessed to have you be a part of her life.
I've had several doggie companions over a life time. My last dog was Kip, a wee Pomeranian. In addition to his undying devotion and love beyond measure, he taught me that every day is new, fresh. He'd wake up, kiss the cat, lick me, jump off the bed and race round in a happy circle shaking with glee to greet a new day.
Dogs see everyday as new. They live in the here and now. No grudges from yesterday. No sulking because something didn't go their way. Each day is a new opportunity for doggie treats, scratches on the butt, walks with their best friend. What a great way to live.
Marie M.C. Monday, April 26, 2010
p.s. Re: Eggs for dogs. I gave my dogs eggs about once a week. Not raw. Hard boiled (no shell) or scrambled. Was that bad? I'd always thought eggs were good for dogs (and humans).
Brigitte Tuesday, April 27, 2010
I'm not a vet of course, but I think eggs are generally okay for dogs to eat (they're an ingredient in some dog foods.) They are just pretty high in calories so I think you need to be sure the dog isn't getting pudgy from too many egg treats :)