9/23/09

The road to becoming a crazy dog lady: A sad, sad tale


I love my children, and my husband is swell, but have I told you about my dog?

My dog gives me no grief. My dog doesn't complain about my cooking. My dog loves her kibble. EVERY DAY! TWICE A DAY!

When I say "Let's go for a walk," she doesn't say, "It's hot," or "It's too far," or "I hate you." She leaps for her leash and clasps it firmly in her mouth. She wags her tail, and we walk.

My dog is Gifted and Talented. In her agility class she can jump through a tire, leap over hurdles, run across a plank and through a tunnel, go through a dark, nylon draped chute, and wait five seconds on a pause table. When she is done, everyone in the class says, "She's so good!" "She's so fast!" "She's so sweet and calm." Her teacher does not give me a sympathetic look every time I walk by.

My dog has a secret shame. She eats cat poop, but that just keeps her humble.


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25 comments:

Lynne said...

Obedient and talented! Everything you can ask for in a dog. Of course you would be bored of a person as easily lead as Scout so happily your children aren't like the dog!

My cat Charlie will try to make the bed if I ask him to! He also asks to talk on the phone to is mom who is away at college. Then he licks the phone when he hears her voice. His secret shame, he is afraid of people who aren't living in the house. Is secret shame is not nearly as gross as Scout's, but at least Scout gets to go show the world her talents! (I bet if Scout was in Mary's class she would call her one of the usual smarties and roll her eyes!)

Cafe Pasadena said...

MF, Boz (not the P) must've done something that made you feel guilty!

It's not your fault. But you're the one who suffers. I totally get that, and I feel your pain. And sadness. You probably feel really, really bad and wish you could have paid better attention but, there you go, once again feeling like you let your canine down. I'm sure your master forgives you all you want. You will forget, and will come to peace with it.

The Good News is, according to a study I read on some loco blog, guilt is not always such a bad thing, and it's kind of me trying to comfort you. Try a comfort Lemon Bar from EuroPane - it's receipe is in the LATimes today. Besides, you also have a very understanding, comforting sister to help you with your guilt.

So, your sad, sad tale need not end without sweetness.

Maria said...

Well, what can you do? Nobody gets everything. Your dog sounds wonderful anyway.

Jean Spitzer said...

As long as he's not bringing you the poop to eat, you're doing fine. He sounds like a great dog and a credit to all dog-dom.

Joanne said...

I find a well-behaved dog to be such an admirable sight. They seem so eager to learn. Kudos to you for putting the time and effort into training your sweet dog!

Debbie said...

I'm another crazy dog lady -- I have a black English Lab named Hannah who has her CGC and is a registered therapy dog that works with children who have learning challenges. She also does agility and loves it. I'm not interested in doing competitions, but we have lots of fun doing it.

Anonymous said...

Scout's eyes say, "One day, I know one day, if I work really hard, there will be a doughnut in that bowl."

(With my dogs, cat shit is the least of their shames.)

Shell Sherree said...

Scout is very sophisticated - she's just trying to tell you she'd like some Kopi Luwak coffee with her kibble.

I love crazy dog ladies. And crazy cat ladies. Crazy hedgehog ladies are kind of fun too.

Bec said...

Happy back to school day . . .

Rois said...

I hear you, some days I look at the dog the only other girl in the house and think "well at least you give me no flap."

Unseen India Tours said...

Your Dog is very beautiful !! They are really finest friends !! Great post..Unseen Rajasthan

Anonymous said...

I have a cat whose poop he can eat. Want him?

Cafe Pasadena said...

PA, if you mean the cat, well I'm the Pasadena city volunteer cat catcher if you recall.

Margaret said...

You are all kind to say nice things about my sweet Scout. She is a good girl, and we must forgive her the cat poop. It wouldn't be so bad but she is also wants to lick us all the time. And AH: She'll have to fight me for that donut.

Anonymous said...

CO: where would you like me to deliver him?

Laurie Allee said...

I love Scout!

Brenda's Arizona said...

I love Scout and your observation of what he offers in life. I totally agree, so I guess that makes me another crazy dog lady. With four dogs. Sophie, our gordon setter, eats cat poop, too. Trouble is, we don't have a cat. Where does she find it? YUCK.

Margaret said...

Brenda: Four dogs! That must be a lot of joy. I envy you. We don't have a cat, but there are a lot in the neighborhood and she just grabs for it whenever she sees it.

Petrea Burchard said...

Scout is beautiful and attractive. Everyone has quirks.

Curly said...

An ode to your dog! Wonderful!
SHE IS WONDERFUL! :-)

Watson said...

Welcome to the "Crazy Dog Ladies" Club Margaret! My human is also a member and treats me like royalty, tho I'm not as talented as Scout.

As a many times mother dog, I can tell you that we are inclined to clean up our pups and keep our beds clean by eating the poop. Not sure about the cat poop, but to each her own. I've heard it's like candy is to humans.

Happy Walkies!

Linda Dove said...

My secret shame? I started tearing up, thinking about my dog Gus's last days. This was when he was still a puppy. Now that he's six, I will sometimes weep uncontrollably in anticipation. Or perhaps merely because I am neurotic. Or a Crazy Dog Lady.

Scout is dashing in his red attire.

Margaret said...

Daisy: And happy walkies to you.

Linda: I hear you. I have to stop myself when I think about Scout aging. Isn't that crazy?

Petrea Burchard said...

Oh Linda, I know how you feel! Boz went through a serious illness many months ago and every night I lay at his bedside and cried, worried about him. I have kissed him to sleep every night since we've had him, and some nights I tear up just from the utter sweetness of him.

Crazy dog lady--road already traveled.

sonia a. mascaro said...

Margaret, Scout is beautiful and looks adorable!