As you all know, I have an old yellow lab and he is awesome! I love him. He makes me laugh and smile and cry and shake my head in wonderment. He can also make me mad, but I’m taking the high road on that one.
I don’t know about you guys, but my dog does some really weird stuff. It confuses me. Like where he chooses to lay, for instance. Sometimes I just can’t figure it out. Usually he chooses the absolute worst place to lay. It’s usually right underfoot and in a dangerous spot. Why right there? Can’t you see I’m working right there?
And what’s up with the whole bathroom thing? I go into the bathroom and sit down on the throne and bam – there he is – right in my business. Really? Do you have to stick your nose there? Sheesh. I do not need to be watched while I’m in the restroom. It’s weird. It freaks me out. I have to lock the bathroom door to keep my dog out. Who else does this?
The dreaming is downright scary sometimes. I’ve often thought he was having a seizure or something with all the shaking and leg flailing and whatnot. The silent jowl quivering as if he’s growling at something big and scary. He does that all the time. Almost every night. What gives? All that whimpering and whining is annoying in the middle of the night. But, I love him and I’m worried about him so I sneak out of bed, squat down next to his oversized doggie pillow and rub his tummy until he stops. What is wrong with me? I’m a big ole softie.
They say dogs dream much like humans dream. If that’s the case, my dog has a nightmare every single night. Better him than me I guess. Weird.
The final confusing characteristic is his constant begging to play, but then when you throw his stick he won’t let go of it when he brings it back. Seriously? I’m not playing tug-of-war. I’ll throw it over and over if you’ll just let go of it. I’m not sure if he thinks he’ll never see it again and if relinquishes the stick to me or what? It’s so weird. I find myself negotiating with him about dropping the stick. I say things like, “You look like you want to play, but you’re not letting me play, too.” Or, “Do you want to play or not? Cuz if you want to play, you’re going to have to drop the stick.” “I’d really love to throw that stick, but I can’t if you don’t drop it.” Etc. etc.
Reasoning with a dog is just plain strange. And yet, that’s what I do. I can’t figure this whole thing out. Sometimes I’ll even throw a different stick (or ball), just to get him to drop the first one, but, nope; he’ll just chase after the second one with the first one still in his mouth. What a goofball.
Does your dog do anything bizarre? Do you often shake your head or roll you eyes at your dog? I mean, dogs are the bomb and all, but sometimes I truly wonder what goes on in their little dog brains.
Word of the Day: Cabestro
Fun fact about me: I never appreciated our pets until I had a puppy of my own. (Sorry Barney Boy. I was a bad human.)
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, March 2016. Photos courtesy Google Images.
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