The Pyrenees---Southern France

The Pyrenees---Southern France

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

A Big Birthday

        I'm talkin' 'bout Radar's birthday, not mine. When you're older than dirt, like I am, there are no milestones to celebrate. But Radar... Radar is going to be two on Thursday.








          Certainly, I didn't think we'd be able to keep him. Radar was a digger. Deep holes. Unevenly spaced out. And lots of 'em--all over our backyard. If you let him stay out for five minutes, he'd have time to pee and time to dig 7 new holes.
           But now he's a great dog. And every day, he's teaching me something things like:
  • Be optimistic. Radar races to the back fence, sure that this time, he's going to get a squirrel. (He never does.)
  • Soak in the whole experience and savor it. When Radar goes for a car ride, he has his head stuck out of the window and he's sniffing away.
  • Be happy with what you have. Radar eats the same food, twice a day and every day. He doesn't complain. Wouldn't it be a more pleasant world if we were like that?
        And above all, if there is some pine tar to tramp around in, or a deer carcass to roll around on, do it. After all, you only live once.

        What have you learned from your dog or cat? A dog hair-covered mind wants to know...



19 comments:

  1. Your Radar is a love! I am in awe of how our dogs can change our lives and our moods in the most subtle way! My Tootsie has taught me how to stick to a schedule, as well as, listen to our inner voices more. When she starts fussing at 3:00am, it's not always because she wants to go out. Sometimes it's just "I'm out of water" or "I really would like a hug right now." I'm also learning patience from this girl...something I need every day! Thanks for sharing.

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    1. NoExcuses--Thank YOU for sharing about Tootsie. Our lives are definitely enriched by having a dog in our lives.

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  2. He's beautiful! I miss our Golden so much, even though I adore the two furries we have now. Radar is a handsome guy. :) Tell him happy birthday from me!

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    1. Lisa--Goldens are great, but "silvers" are gorgeous, too. (I'm talkin' 'bout the new 'do. ;)

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  3. Aw, happy birthday to Radar! Libs has taught me that toilet paper is for unrolling over and over and over again, that pooping under a bed can go undetected for months if you go in a room that nobody uses, and never--NEVER--pass up a lap for cuddling. (Even if you're in trouble for pooping under a bed!)

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    1. Cathy--Luckily, none of our furniture sits high enough for Radar to get under and poop. Yeah, I imagine Libby never has to stay in "the doghouse" for very long... She's too cute for that to happen.

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  4. Goldens are wonderful. I love how they lean on you for a scratch and will not leave until you quit, even then they nudge once or twice to confirm you are done.

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    1. Joeh--And also, goldens figure that since you have two hands, you should pet them with both hands.

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  5. How did you teach Radar to stop digging?
    Our dog is a challenge but she keeps us moving. She is tough, too tough. She slip her face under the eye this week and just kept right on going.

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    1. Claudia--We didn't. We rent our backyard out to the military, to model foxholes...

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  6. Replies
    1. Pat--He had a special type of food this morning--canned--to celebrate.

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  7. What a sweet pup. I have learned from my cat that if I wait to feed him his canned food until 9 pm. he and I will both sleep later in the morning. He munches dry kibble all day.

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    1. Linda--You could always train Kitty-No-No to wake up Bill. ;)

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  8. My sweet, sweet Juno taught me that while dog noses are black and rubbery, they do not taste a thing like licorice Crows at the movie theater.

    I am sure Radar would never teach you such a lesson.

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    1. Val--Radar only pokes his nose at us after he's been digging... digging with his paws AND his nose.

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  9. Both Bogey and Winston are surprisingly persistent, masters of "if at first you don't succeed, try, try again"!

    Pat
    Critter Alley

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    Replies
    1. How cute, Sioux! Thanks for putting Radar on our "Radar." :-)

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  10. What a cutie! Happy birthday, Radar.

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Thanks for your comments. I appreciate you taking the time to stop by...