Dear Dog

[skhill]

Dear Dog,

When you enjoy your litter-box crunchies, could you please not breathe or drool on me immediately afterwards?

[GLC1968]

Dear big boy dog - I know the new little dog is annoying, but she is still little. Please wait until she is bigger than your mouth before you try to bite her. Thanks.

Dear big girl dog - Thanks for being such a patient and understanding puppy-sitter. I could not have asked for better behavior from a big sister. You truly are a wonder.

Dear little dog - Why is it that you can learn from the big dogs how to play, how to behave for treats, how to ask for dinner, how to 'kill the squeek' in a toy, how to use the dog door, how to NOT chase the ducks and how to sleep quietly when the humans are in bed...but you cannot figure out that peeing happens OUTSIDE (and not just inside) the dog door? Is it something we are doing? If so, give us a clue. Thanks.

[trbl_mkr]

Dear dog,
thank you for agreeing to be my running buddy. Your pleading eyes and wagging tail motivate me in a completely unique way!

[skhill]

Dear dog,

What's up with chasing off cats when they try to join us in bed at night? Are you trying to raise your status in the heirarchy? Are you defending your stash of chew toys in the room? Are you trying to defend me? I like having the cats join us; please get over it. You are the number one dog, even if at least one cat outranks you. The cats aren't interested in your treasures, either.

If this keeps up, you might find yourself spending the night locked away in a bathroom.

[beccaB]

Dear Dog,
You are a herding dog and supposed to chase just about every thing that moves. You should actually be a better mouser than my cats. So why has there been evidence of a mouse in my kitchen?
Mom

[tzvia]

Dear dog,
Yes, you are a dog. That is why you are named KELEV- dog in Hebrew. I promised myself I would not spoil you but I failed, and you strut around with that smug little grin that comes with knowing that you can get whatever you want by making a goofy face or trying to look deprived.

But yes you proved that you are more than just a dog. Somehow you 'got it' when my father became ill and I became a caregiver. You became a caregiver, a companion, a watch dog who always came and got me when dad needed something or had to be assisted. How did you figure that out? Who taught you that he did not belong in the kitchen alone at night? A dangerous place for a man with Dementia, and you came and got me to go investigate with a look like I have never seen before. I did not understand at first, thought you wanted another cookie, but found dad there instead, and got him back to bed. It took me a few times to figure out; you were never around for that cookie after I took care of dad- you got me because of dad.

Now he is in a home, and you are unemployed. No more caregiving. You can be that goofy dog again, older and wiser though. I'm wiser too. It's amazing what a dog can teach a person. Enjoy your retirement, Kelev.

[pll]

That's an incredible (and gorgeous) dog, tzivia. Sorry to learn about your father's illness.