Tag Archives: living with dogs

Dogs are inconvenient

Planning the day

Just today, after all the morning routine stuff (take the dogs out, feed the dogs, have breakfast, wash Tango’s face/beard, play training games with the dogs) before we could get around to the house cleaning chores we planned, we had to think about what to do about the dogs.

The first step in our deep-cleaning plan was vacuuming Quite a few years ago, we thought it was funny that Dax’s mortal enemy was the vacuum cleaner. Hope’s first Frenchie attacked it every time it came out. Until the day she broke a tooth and needed surgery. Since that day, we play “better safe than sorry.” The dogs are crated when the vacuum comes out.

It’s not a big deal, since the dogs love their crates. Actually, they love their special “crate goodies,” but it’s the same result. They dash to their crates when they see us reach for their “only in the crate” treats.

But it is something we have to think about. Before we plan doing anything, either at home or outside, we have to think “what about the dogs.”

Planning ahead

Parents of children and dog owners have the same obligation to plan ahead. It’s easy to be impulsive when there’s no one at home that needs to be walked, or fed, or needs medicine.

A black, rough Brussels Griffon dog with a gray beardlying down to illustrate dogs are inconvenient

It’s a huge consideration when you have either a puppy or an old dog. Both have time limits on their bodily functions. Tango is 14 now, so we’re always checking calendars and coordinating schedules. Fortunately, he still remembers his training, but we don’t want to push our luck.

Dog owners always have to weight the possible consequences of their actions. It’s fun to meet up with friends at the end of the day. But what does that do to the dog schedule? And are you willing to face the consequences if you lose track of time?

Worth every bit of it

As we sit writing, one dog is snoring on the chair across from us, another is snoozing in the dog bed by our feet. And these are the moments that we feel sorry for anyone who thinks dogs are too inconvenient. Just looking at them warms our hearts. If you’re having a good day, it’s great to share it with your dog who loves you unconditionally. And if you’ve had a crappy day, it’s great to share a cuddle with your dog who loves you unconditionally.

Basically, having a dog is pretty terrific. Even if dogs are inconvenient.

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Resolve to Live Like A Dog

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New Year’s resolutions are on the agenda today. Ours is simple – to live more like a dog! We all love dogs, but rarely do we see them as role models. But they have lots of good lessons for us:

Relax whenever you can

Picture of a puppy sleeping to illustrate Live Like A Dog

Dogs really know how to relax. They don’t worry about how they look, where they are, or who may be watching. When they’re tired, they sit, or lie down. In many cases, the spot they choose may be right in the middle, on top of you, or where you were intending to go – but they don’t care. That’s the spot they’ve chosen and they claim it. More often than not, they’re either in the way or on you. And how many times have we decided not to get up, because we don’t want to disturb the dog? Especially when they look so darn cute.

Enjoy your food

Four Golden Retriever puppies eating to illustrate Live Like A Dog

We confess. Sometimes we give our dogs treats just because they look so cute chewing. They always eat with gusto, as if what’s on the menu is the best food ever made by the top chefs in the world. They don’t care that it’s the same stuff they ate yesterday. And the same stuff they’ll eat tomorrow. They love it!

Don’t worry about the mess

A small dog with dirt all over its face to illustrate Live Like a Dog

When you’re having a good time, it doesn’t matter if there are clean-up consequences later. Don’t let that mud puddle stop you from playing. And if you want to explore under that bush – go ahead and check it out. Try being spontaneous and going where your curiosity takes you.

Use all your senses

White and black dog sniffing a snail to illustrate Live Like A Dog

Dogs are always curious about the world around them. They can sniff the same spot every walk, every day, and still find it endlessly fascinating. When was the last time you took a good look around when you were out and about? Were there clouds in the sky? How beautiful was yesterday’s sunset?

Live in the moment

That’s the most important lesson of all from dogs. They don’t sweat the small stuff. They don’t worry at all – unless you’re late with their dinner. Dogs live in the moment. They’re ready to have fun at a moment’s notice. They don’t plan and strategize – they take advantage of all the fun life has to offer. Whether it’s a walk, a tummy rub, a training game, or just a snuggle on the couch – chances are your dog’s all in, every time. It may not work for people all the time, we have responsibilities. But just sometimes, wouldn’t it be nice to live like a dog?

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5 Things to Learn From Dogs

#5: Eat with Gusto!

We know that there are finicky dogs, but we’ve been lucky that all of our dogs eat heartily – whatever we put in front of them. They’re always eager to dive into their food, even if we think it’s a disgusting, smelly bowl of glop. The added lesson learned from dogs here is that we should be grateful and appreciate whatever we’re given. It’s kind of a hassle when the dogs crowd around when you’re fixing their meals, but the happy faces and wagging tails (for dogs with tails!) make us smile. Most families seem to have a meal-time ritual, and a phrase that cues everyone to run to their designated meal spot. Ours is “Who want to eat?” And our advice is to stay out of their way when they hear it!

#4: Notice Stuff

Dogs notice anything new in their surroundings. Just yesterday, Simon proved the point. We’d put a brick on the lid of the outside “poop bucket” because heavy winds were expected. And the last thing anyone wants is the lid of the poop bucket flying off! But he hadn’t seen it before and was absolutely fascinated. At first, he approached with caution, did some sniffing, and decided it was harmless. But he noticed.

People aren’t quite as good at being aware of their surroundings. Lots of people walk their dogs down our block. Most of the people have the leash in one hand and are looking at their phones in the other. The dogs are checking the area, sniffing, watching, listening, and sometimes even glancing at their people. We will admit that the people do seem to pay attention when their dog stops to make a deposit. And we’re grateful they’re good about cleaning it up.

But it’s not all about the nasty stuff. Dogs stop and sniff the flowers, watch the butterflies, and stand at attention to follow squirrels with their eyes.

#3: Expect Treats Regularly

Dogs have to be considered optimists. They’re always hopeful that good things are coming their way. Even when there’s no reasonable expectation it will happen. Of course they do have incredibly powerful weaponry with those puppy-dog eyes. It’s hard to resist the hopeful expressions and rapt attention. And it usually works. When they look at you with the absolute conviction that you’re wonderful, it’s awfully hard to say no.

#2: Show People You’re Delighted to See Them

Picture of happy dog running to illustrate second thing people can learn from dogs.

Even if all we’ve done is take out the garbage, the dogs are truly delighted to see us again. It doesn’t matter if we’re gone for five minutes or several hours. They’re just happy we’re there. Even if you get annoyed by the dog jumping on you, or getting in your way, it’s still flattering that someone’s so thrilled with your presence. Everyone could use an ego boost now and again. Dogs are great at supplying it, just when you could use it.

#1: Live In The Moment

It’s probably the most important lesson to learn from dogs. Dogs don’t worry about what may or may not happen. They don’t regret things that have already passed. Dogs live in the here and now being happy as they can be. This quality is particularly noticeable with dogs who have some kind of disability. They don’t agonize over it, they just get on with life. We saw this when our Brussels Griffon Razzmatazz suddenly went blind. We did get him a “hoop” harness so he wouldn’t bang his head on stuff. And when he realized what it was for, he ran around just as if he could see. He delighted in banging that hoop against our shins to let us know he’d appreciate one of those treats now. And he usually got it.

Learn from dogs

We know dogs don’t have the same life experience people do. We define their world for them. But we can still take a hint or two from the way they live, full-on, enjoying what they have and not worrying about what they don’t.

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What happens to the dogs of war

Members of the family

Thousands of civilians are fleeing Ukraine. Encouragingly, despite the huge traffic jams we’ve seen and backups at the borders, the news we’ve seen so far indicates that the countries accepting refugees are also welcoming their pets.

This conflict will be played out with witnesses around the world in real time. Vietnam may have been the first war televised in color. This one will be the one we all see on social media, as it happens, if we pay any attention at all.

The pictures and videos we’ve seen run the gamut – shocking, heartbreaking, and encouraging. When every single person has the ability to broadcast to the world, it’s powerful. Especially so when the neighborhoods, the people, the families, look like they could be somewhere familiar.

Close to home

The community we live in prides itself on diversity. The local school district’s children speak over 60 different languages at home. We have significant Russian and Ukrainian populations. And we’ve gotten to know lots of them through their dogs – either from seeing them in our shop over the years or teaching obedience classes. There’s no difference in the love people have for their families. Including their dogs.

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