What A Dog Teaches You

An email forward that says it all !

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What A Dog Teaches You


A dog teaches us a lot of things, but we never seem to take notice. These are some of the lessons you might learn…

* When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
* Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
* Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
* When it’s in your best interest, practice obedience.
* Let others know when they’ve invaded your territory.
* Take naps and stretch before rising.
* Run romp and play daily.
* Thrive on attention .
* Avoid biting, when a simple growl will do.
* On warm days stop to lie on your back on the grass. On hot days drink lots of water and lay under a shady tree.
* When you’re happy dance around and wag your entire body.
* No matter how often you’re scolded don’t buy into the guilt thing and pout. Run right back and make friends.
* Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
* Eat with gusto and enthusiasm, stop when you have had enough.
* Be loyal.
* Never pretend to be something you’re not.
* If what you want lies buried dig until you find it.
* When someone is having a bad day be silent, sit close by… and nuzzle them gently.

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Top Dog - Djokovic

Djokovic's lucky charm, Pierre the toy poodle, was not able to enter UK due to quarantine rules. Pierre was nonetheless able to provided guidance, support and luck telepathically resulting in Djokovic's sensational win at Wimbeldon and sealing the World Number One status. Congratulations to Pierre!

From this link
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Pierre, the white toy poodle, is tennis great Novak Djokovic’s security blanket, lucky charm and mascot, all rolled into one….Team Djokovic is comprised of Novak’s girlfriend, his coaches and Pierre, who gives the tennis champ an air of calm just by being in the stadium on his own special cushion….unfortunately for Novak, the British Animal Quarantine laws are proving a formidable roadblock for Pierre’s presence at all lawn Wimbledon championships now being played in London….. according to the british tabloids, Novak himself appealed to the “highest level” of british diplomats to secure an entry visa for Pierre, but to no avail….Pierre will have to settle for a cushion in front of a wide screen television at the Djokovic homestead where he will bark his approval whenever Dad serves an ace…. Pierre has his own Twitter account and Facebook page, so he’ll be able to keep in touch with all of Novak’s fans around the world….

Let's get on the "BAN"dwagon

In true San Francisco style, there is a proposal to ban all pet sales..  

At the least, banning puppy mills and kitten factories will be a good start and hope more cities worldwide get involved.

Link to the news item:
http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jun/26/local/la-me-goldfish-20110627

If the proposal is accepted - you can buy live animals to eat but not as pets - now that's a topic for another day :-)

Little Nina

She looked tiny and fragile and so very lonely. She'd being attacked by rats and left with a big open wound.  She put her paws on my knees, and greedily snatched the treat from my half opened hands.

Impulsively, I decided to foster little Nina, a 2 month old puppy. She hadn't found a home, she was all alone in the back room at the shelter and had very little human or dog interaction. I thought of the delicate, frightened pup, I thought of puppy cuteness and I thought of Polka getting a playmate.

We welcomed Nina with giddy excitement. She was less than half of Polka's size. I put my hand forward to pet but she put her head down and went on her knees and shivered. Little Nina was scared, viewed everyone with suspicion and crawled with her head down like a tunnel rat. It was disturbing and sad to watch her move and I wondered what life had offered in her brief 2 months existence!

I was trying hard to make her feel welcome and comfortable - bribing her with treats and toys, getting down on all fours and waiting for her to approach me, taking her in my arms  - but nothing worked. Little Nina just shivered and took a step back at every attempt. All my efforts were in vain...

But that was not the case for Polka - she was able to work her charm. Initially, it was a slow dance. Polka moved forward aggressively, Nina retreated instinctively. Polka pawed her persistently, Nina stayed her ground. Polka continued to paw, Nina joined in the fun. Polka became dominating, Nina submissive... and the dance continued. Soon, they found their rhythm. Polka became gentler and Nina braver. Polka became less insecure of the new puppy and Nina more trusting of all of us. It was wonderful to watch as they learned to play together, share toys and become best of friends.

Under the tutelage of Polka, Nina blossomed little by little. I was the one who was suppose to teach, foster and bring my experiences 'to the table'. Instead, I had nothing to offer but a lot to learn. 

I learned to be patient while Nina was getting paper trained. I learned to be tolerant and accepting as she learned to stand her ground. I learned what it means to protect as Polka came in between every time I tried to scold Nina. And I learned to let go.

Little Nina found a family but she preferred to go back to the shelter. She now has her own "nerd gang" and is healthy and happy. Lots of love and luck to you dear Nina!

Dog Tales

'Pee'ved!
A friend on her dog's annoyance at being left alone:

Our dog doesn't like being left alone for long periods.. When we return from our vacations, she expresses her annoyance by jumping and peeing on our bed. Now we have 2 dogs and both of them do it!

The dogs are definitely 'pee'ved ;)

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Practical Lessons
My plumber had come to fix a leakage in the bathroom. This was an ongoing saga for the last 3 months with no concrete solution but its hard to get angry with him. Polka loves him and he also gives me 'puppy' tips :)

I was bitten by a puppy when I was in primary 1 - I got 18 stitches on my forehead. A few years later, I was bitten at the ankle. Now I am not scared of puppies. You should never run when you see a pup. You should not put your hand on his head  - it can scare him, you know. Don't follow the pup- he might not like it and come to bite you. You hit a puppy, it will bite you. You love him, he will love you back.

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Robinhood
I stole a dog once. I went into the house when the owner was out and picked up the dog and ran. The owner beat the dog, starved him, and locked him up. I could not bear seeing the poor thing abused. His nails were curved back into his paw!. I hid him in my house till I found a nice family who adopted him.


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Lawyering up
My lawyer cousin had a story to tell:

My friend is a big shot lawyer in India - single and childfree. His pet dog is his only family. He takes him on vacations - not just locally but abroad as well! Everything is planned around the dog's schedule - meetings, work, cases, court appearances.. Any meeting after 6pm is held at his place. The dog comes into the room just before the meeting starts and stays till the end. The lawyer never makes a decision at the meeting. In his words, "I will discuss with my dog and get back to you in the morning!"


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Dying with Dignity

Conversation with a 85 year old gramps:

I have a 18 year old dog. People in our area know us very well - The old man with an older dog! But we are going strong. My previous dog was 15 when she was put to sleep. She was very sick. One night, she looked at me to tell me - this is it. I knew I had to do it. I called the vet. He said, 'If I come in the morning it will be $30, if I come now it is $150'. I said, 'Just come. She is ready to go'. I didn't want her to suffer through the night. It was heart wrenching to make the decision. That was 10 years ago! Now, my 18 year old dog and me - both are pretty close to the final moment. I am not sure which one of us will be facing the dilemma. Hah.

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