Yesterday I saw another one of those videos where the dog
helps around the house and seems to be able to do everything. Of course, most
of these short films are created to make us laugh, but this particular clip was
about a service dog that held the shopping basket and ran up and down aisles in
a supermarket. This brainy dog could do it all. Made me think of my little
mutts, who can’t do anything, except shed hair, make a mess and bark. So the
more I thought about it, the more I realized how important they are and all the
various things they do to make me happy.
1.
Good
Security
No one had better come within twenty-five feet of our
property, even though the houses in our neighborhood are standing about twenty
feet apart.
2.
Mail
Alert System
It’s like a sophisticated App you can download for your
Smartphone. Want to know when the mail arrives? Ask Pinky and Fiona because
they will let you know! In fact, they will let the entire neighborhood know.
3.
Comfort
If I’m tired or
sick, they like to snuggle. If I’m angry, they’re on my side. If I’m crying,
they will lick my tears away. This alone is worth the price of admission.
4.
Laughter
I love comedies,
variety shows and most comedians. I even have a good friend who does stand up.
But these two fur-babies, Pinky and Fiona, can make me double over in laughter just
from a silly expression. Most of the time, they crack me up.
5.
Exercise
There are several
types of exercises associated with Fiona and Pinky. Generally, there’s a daily
walk for Pinky. Fiona doesn’t obey anyone so I have to go chasing her around
the house or the backyard if I want to find her. There’s also exercise obtained
by cleaning up the mistakes. As inside dogs, they get confused about optimal
places for doing their duty. I think all this confusion adds a couple of years
to my life. Which is a good thing, right? Sometimes I dream of being that sedentary
writer who can focus on her manuscript instead of the aroma coming from the
hallway.
6.
The
Economy
 |
Indisputable proof:
See the big heart? |
With pets, it’s
hard to save money but spending it helps the local economy. Not only is there
some sort of foreign collusion in the dog-toy business but the kind-hearted
vets dish it out with a smile. Plus there’s that city license, puppy pads,
snacks, leashes, sweaters etc. When a Chihuahua can chew through a fifteen-dollar
toy in one day, you know there’s something wrong with this world. Recently,
Fiona had a bout of stomach flu and we took her to the Emergency Pet Hospital.
Six hundred dollars later, they sent us home with a fancy X-ray and said she’d
be fine. I’m proud to say, both dogs are a boost to U.S. capitalism and sadly, cheaper
toys are not an option.
7.
Listening
One major problem
with the world is listening. Almost everyone has an opinion. Even the nicest
folks go around telling other people what they think without listening to their
friends. There are enough people in the world to trade in friends for new ones
if they don’t agree. It’s like people who dump their dogs at the animal shelter
when they move. I have high school and
college friends who have left me behind for new friends because I may not have
immediately rushed to agree with their political viewpoints. Makes me sad but
at least Pinky listens to everything I say. Fiona may not always listen to me
but she hears me. Her ears move like antenna trying to find meaning in my words
that her tiny little mind cannot process but her heart tells her to keep still
and keep listening because her mommy loves her very much.
8.
Foot
Warmers
There’s nothing
better than reading a book and having two very cute friends keeping your toes warm.
The downside is that they too are relaxed—leading to not-so-adorable emanations--commonly
referred to as Chihuahua farts.
9.
Crumb
Catchers
Forget the vacuum.
I have built in little sniffers who find every fallen morsel.
10.
Love
There are few
places in the world to find unconditional love, that’s why I recommend the Animal
Shelter. Both of our pups were rescues and every once in a while, with tails wagging,
they come and place a paw on my chest, and look me straight in the eye. That’s when
I feel the overwhelming thank you and the love. Of course, it might also mean,
give us a snack or we’ll piss in your bathroom, but honestly, I feel the
gratefulness.
Understandably,
those clever videos with the smart dogs make my dogs look like dummies, but
these two cuties have underappreciated talents and are sweet enough for me.
Do you have super
intelligent dogs or lovable dogs like mine?
