The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #100917 Message #2506494
Posted By: wysiwyg
02-Dec-08 - 10:45 PM
Thread Name: BS: Our pets favorite things
Subject: RE: BS: Our pets favorite things
Faulkner's chief dogly pack-position attribute is his intense desire to understand and be an active part of the pack leaders' plans. To this end he has insinuated himself into many situations, often much to our perplexity. He wants to SEE and DO.
One of these situations arose some time ago while I was dealing with some health issues. I was having a hard time levering up and out of my oversized and poorly-working recliner. F began crowding in to try to help, eventually placing himself where I could hug at him as he braced himself or pulled back. I always thanked him for this spontaneous help. It was obvious that the helping was a release of pent up emotion for him. A little happy dance afterwards and much proud parading before settling.
Recently I needed help again and wondered out loud, talking to Hardi, if F could "help" me. F overheard this, and over he bustled, inquisitive eyes asking what he should do. He brought his paws and head up as he is sometimes invited up when he gets lap time, but pasued in midclimb at my unconscious signal. (I have no idea what the signal was, but he read it perfectly.) I grabbed his collar and said his walkies or time-to-go-out phrase-- "let's go." He braced and backed, and up I came. He instinctively stood firm as I leaned over him, bracing myself over his shoulders, as I slowly used aching back muscles to stand myself up straight a bit at a time. He was so proud.
We then proceeded to teach (reward) the "Help Susan?" command (praise) so that Hardi will be able to activate him towards me, also.
Tonight with this bad back, while Hardi out working for the evening, I had heavy laundry to haul thru the kitchen from the laundry room, to the LR for folding and sorting. "Faulkner, help?" I said as I headed off to the laundry room. Happyhappy yesyes howhow dance. I took his short lead and hooked one end to the laundry bag drawstring, ran the lead thru his collar, grabbed the free end, started off, and said "let's go." He was quite happy to furnish most of the pulling power to drag the big bag (a 33 gallon bag of cottons), as I furnished the steering and "led" the dog. When we got to the LR he was QUITE pleasd with his dogly self. He watched me fold the laundry as if he'd have liked to fold some, too.
Cesar Millan says dogs LOVE to be useful, and this is one who definitely does. He is so proud of himself that he licks ME in gratitude afterwards. I think I'd lick F if it wouldn't make Hardi barf.
I onluy need help periodically, so it is quite amazing that F remembers from one time to the next what the word means, and what I might want. Who knows what he will learn, next!
~Susan