Inspiration from a dog named Pepper
Pepper is a bit over weight and the last year or so she has trouble getting through the doggy door. If a human is around, she expects you to open the human door for her and if you don't, oh man, you get the "look"! The other day I went to go outside and she was sitting there looking at me and I said "what? what do you want?" as I held the door open for her and she did not budge. Hmmm, ok, so I went outside and here she comes through the doggy door and she just stands there and gives me that look again. I ask her "what Pepper, what are you trying to tell me?". There was no wagging of the tail, complete stillness, just the look. So I open the door to go back in the house and I asked her if she wanted back in and she, very slowly and I mean let me tell you, snails moved faster. She gets in the house and she turns around and there it is again, the look. Ok, ok Peps, I will follow you to see if I can figure out what you want. So I proceeded to follow her and low and behold, she was out of water! I filled up her water, she lapped it up, moved onto her bed and laid down. Hmmm, well, ok then and I was thinking about this and how people might not be able to communicate what they want or maybe they don't even know what they want. I know I have had those moments. And it brought me back to the teachings here at WA and how very important it is to always want to help others and perhaps what I write about may seem that no one hears, but these blogs, these articles, everything, means something to someone. Maybe not right now, but maybe in the future. I read a blog today that was written 2 years ago, but to me, it could have just been written today and it inspired me and I thanked the writer for that. I just want to say that I so appreciate this community and the daily inspiration I get. I hope that I can pay it forward and truly help someone with whatever lesson I have learned. Just keep moving.... :)
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9
I enjoyed your blog. It reminded me of the time my son (then age 11) got mad at one of the dogs and went on to complain about how stupid dogs were because they couldn't communicate with us.
I reminded him that it is US who are stupid, dogs communicate very well - we just don't know how to listen to them.
This just reminded me of a post I want to make. Look in the near future - for Stupid Rock.
Kali
I agree, the look, I get it from all of the species of animals they all have a different way of communication. The one I hate is the ones that don't know what they want. I am speaking of cats... drive me crazy UUGGG. Thanks for the post.
Kymee
My daughter has a cat, his name is Ash, we call him Asher. He is known as my grandcat because my daughter does not have children and she loves him so much and from the get go, I have been grandma to him. I understand what you are saying :)
thank you for the comment!
Denise
Congratulations. You may call it the look. But it is Pepper's way of talking to you. You were able to ferret out what she wanted from you by reading the dog.
Canine communication is an art. When you have learned what they want, then they can learn what you want. This makes for a great relationship.
I'm sorry you have to get your Canine connection vicariously through your daughter's pets. At least you haven't had to rescue them and have a permanent house-guest like I experienced a few years back.
And don't get me started on overweight dogs. There is nothing in the world more saddening than to see a pup that needs to go on a diet. You control their food source, make it right and keep your dog around and healthy for it's whole life.
The weight issue is something my daughter has been working on, especially since my Yogi passed, she has made a commitment to walk them everyday and I think we are seeing some improvement. She saw in my own struggle with the guilt of, well, could I have been better at this or that. Yogi was just an old guy and it was his time, but the voices in my head persisted. It inspired her to be a better dog owner, even though she is a wonderful dog owner, but it got her thinking about how she really could be better. Thank you for the comment!
Reduce the food input by 1/4 cup a day. Watch for a week and see if the weight seems to be coming off. The dog won't be happy but it will be better for him/her.
When we are working with dogs that are a bit out of control, we feed them dinner one kibble at a time. This reinforces their training, they get the same amount of food and their minds are stimulated at the same time. A final handful in the dinner dish for the work is a great reward.
They love the extra attention from mom as well.
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Such a lovely blog. I know what you mean about that 'look' Good luck in everything you do here at WA
thank you JGX4!