Archives for Thankful Thursday category

Thankful Thursday – For Our Imperfect Dogs (Kids or Mate)

Posted on Aug 04, 2011
Dog Training, Dogs and Instinct, Dogs Express Emotion, Thankful Thursday
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One thing I know for sure is that in order for me to be thankful for things I consider to be less worthy of gratitude, I have to start with those things I am truly thankful for – my home, my bed – you get the idea. Real gratitude somehow overflows and wraps itself around those things for which we are not quite thankful. For some, our dogs are on the top of the list. For others, perhaps with a puppy or with a dog that is difficult, gratitude is not an automatic. (Feel free to insert your kids, work, and/or mate!)

I have decreased my writing about training techniques because the market is flooded with information on how to have a well behaved dog. It’s always described as quick and easy! Yet, our dogs still pull on the leash, still bolt when they see a squirrel or cat running away from them, still bark at the mailman and still attempt to jump on people when greeting. I don’t know about your dog(s), but mine haven’t read one word from the books and are quite content being dogs and letting me figure out how to work with them.

So. . .what about (seemingly) misbehaving dogs brings me gratitude – they aren’t perfect and we don’t have to be either. They are forever two years old and need to be asked and reminded of those quick and easy dog training steps we just knew would fix them. I’m grateful that in the midst of our frustration with some of their behavior, they don’t just turn around and bite us for asking them to sit when their prey drive or zest for affection is declaring, “get rabbit – NOW” or “that human wants to pet me I just know it, I know it, I do, I do!

Thankful For Six Pounds

Posted on Jul 28, 2011
Adopt a Shelter Dog, Thankful Thursday, Yorkie
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Most of us aren’t excited about putting on an extra six pounds.  Even though it’s a small amount, six pounds can seem like a lot and can really change your life and how things fit.

As a post for Thankful Thursday, I am so grateful for the six additional pounds that changed not only my perspective on “little” dogs but also added a love that can’t be weighed.  Here’s my six pounds (aka Melody) at the shelter where we first met and at home.  Putting on a little weight turned out to be the best thing I could have ever done.  Add a few pounds – you might love it!