Summer is busy and it seems the humans are always go, go, going somewhere. I travel with them when it’s a dog-friendly destination. (Why all destinations can’t be dog-friendly is a mystery to me.) But on occasion, they have to leave me home. They are considerate to make sure I’m comfortable or very comfortable (euphemisms for #1 and #2). They also ensure that I get a proper workout.
I don’t usually walk around the neighborhood for exercise. My games are fetch or keep-away in the yard, depending on the toy. Either A-Dog or Shoes-on-the-Floor work me out. But the other day, as A-Dog was packing for another non-doggie trip, she sent the little ones out to play fetch with me.
Ha! What was she thinking?
I have seen these boys grow from little tiny lumps of curious smells to bigger, gangly shoots of energy. And although they stand taller than my furry self, I see them as my subordinates. I don’t retrieve a ball for just anyone. You need to be my equal or better. That’s how dogs see this kind of thing and how we make some sense of our world in yours.
So, as the boys would throw the ball and yell, “Scout, get it, girl!”, I would be staring through the screen door at A-Dog, saying “What the what?” with my eyes.
She really should know better.
Hold the mayo!
Humans don’t get it. When you sit or lay on the floor, you are now in dog territory. You’re fair game to sit on and get your long overdue face bath. You are also considered to be lower in the pack order.
A-Dog rarely sits on the floor, but Shoes-on-the-Floor, Little-Feet and Preemie-Feet, all spend quality playing time there. I don’t pay attention to the little ones, until Shoes plunks himself down on the carpet. Then I am compelled to get between him and whomever he’s playing with at the time. ::
see photo above :) I am illustrating our pack order here.
I am allowed to lay on the furniture and, heaven forbid, sleep on the bed. But I do follow the pack rules. When A-Dog gets in bed for the night, I get off the bed and go to my chair. When the mornings get chilly, I move from my chair to the bed, but I almost always sleep on Shoes’s side. I’m respecting my leader. Pack leaders eat first, get the best food, sleep where they want and can wither you with a look. They sound bossy, yes, but if there was no leader, guaranteed there would be mayhem.
As you can see from the photo, I consider myself to be third in line. I’m letting that little guy on the left know that he is fifth and he and Shoes should remember that fact. I’m not aggressive about it, except for the destruction of the block tower. But the tears dry and the shouts fade and I am still THIRD! Booyakasha baby!
