Gosh darn it dogs are lucky huh? I mean, what a great life they have. Not a care in the world it would seem.
How many of you have looked at your dogs and asked yourself, "What on earth goes on in their heads?" If I could read my dogs' minds, I am sure this is what they would be thinking about: "While my owner gets up at 5 a.m. to see Horse, I remain sleeping, in her bed, with my head on the pillow. I am aware that she must endure the frigid dark morning, alone ... she's brave, she will be fine without me. Besides, I am cosy, snoring, stretching, yawning, sleeping.
"While she gets ready for her day of stuff - I really have no idea what she does when she leaves the house, but I think she might be a hunter or even a butcher because sometimes she comes back with meat - I continue to sleep.
"When it's time to get out of bed, we do this thing she calls exercise. To me, it seems like she thinks it is supposed to be laborious but this is when I get to chase rabbits in the tall grass, swim in the creek, sniff out the muskrat, roll in stuff that smells wickedly delicious. She seems jealous that I am able to roll in this stinky stuff because she is always waving her arms, shouting "NO!" and chasing me away from it as if she wants it for herself. So I have become sneakier now and make sure she isn't looking when I roll. I keep it to myself and it's only when I am getting my full body massage that she notices and the look on he face says it all. .. She is so jealous! "On the way back to the house, if I am quick, I am able to have a little snack of these amazing cookies left in a pile by Horse. My owner loves Horse very much, probably because he makes such yummy cookies, but I never see her eat one. Maybe that is what she does early in the morning while I am still in bed. Hmm, I must join her one morning.
"It is after our "exercise" when I get that full body massage with a warm dry towel. I even get my toes cleaned. She loves me very much to clean that stuff from my toes. It's nasty stuff. There are times when I step in something and I just stand there, with my foot raised in the air. She comes running over as if I've broken my leg or something, but she always wipes that guck away and gives my foot a good once over to make sure it is good an clean. I love her.
"Once inside, breakfast is served - on a silver platter none the less! Well it's stainless steel, but who's taking score. Today it is beef stew with lots of veggies.
"When she leaves the house to go hunting or meat cutting, I sleep. I prefer sleeping by the patio door so I can stretch out on my back, embraced by the warmth of the sun. It's heaven.
"After an undetermined amount of time sunbathing and bird watching my owner returns. I run to meet her. I am genuinely happy to see her and immediately stick my nose in the bags she places on the floor to express my joy at her return. I am rewarded with the smell of turkey meat. Yes, she is a good hunter.
"I follow her into the kitchen and lie upon my bed by the patio door and close my eyes once again. I am not actually sleeping but praying. Praying that she will either drop the whole turkey on the floor, or will give me the trimmings as she prepares it. The former has yet to materialize, but I never give up hope.
"As the day draws to a close there is a race to get into bed. I always win. I find it odd that she finds comfort on such a small piece of mattress. I cannot sleep like that. I must expand my entire self and absorb the luxury of a pillow-topped mattress. I instantly fall asleep, dreaming of my perfect day."
Joan Klucha has been working with dogs for more than 15 years in obedience, tracking and behavioural rehabilitation. Contact her through her website k9kinship.com.
