Dogs and short term gains
Posted on June 9, 2008 - Filed Under Personal |
Word has spread through my friends that I’m an excellent house-sitter. This holds a lot of appeal because my friends travel. A lot. Whether it’s to the Pacific Northwest or across the pond, people are constantly on trips for weeks at a time. It’s understandable that having someone you trust to look after your home would be appealing.
This last week some friends invited me to house-sit their lovely home, just a few blocks off the ocean. Wow. It definitely wins over my tiny house. Included with this deal was Nano, their puppy.
Dogs were an integral part of my childhood. I heart dogs. And this “house-sit” required taking care of Nano.
After all these years, it had slipped my mind that dogs are smart. He has this fabric “pen” he is suppose to sleep in at night. Zippers keep this pen closed. Next to the box, there’s a note that says the zippers must be secured because he has learned to unzip them. Which was fine and dandy.
Do you know what else has a zipper? My suitcase. Finding my underwear and socks all over the house was an unexpected surprise. Then trying to get my underoos away from him was mission impossible. He would rather tear them apart then let me have them.
I remembered dogs are all about short term gains and bribery. ”What can you do for me now?” When Nano was happily chewing on my briefs, I rattled his treat box. Oh look who is my new best friend! Does Nano want a treat? Is Nano being a good boy? Haha! Sucker! Look who has his underwear back!
Another thing which I had forgotten: dog express emotions.
| Cats have that same, flat expression on their faces 24/7. Whether they are happy or sad, angry or overjoyed, innocent or demon-possessed cats always look the same. If they had opposable thumbs they would be the ultimate poker players.
Dogs on the other hand have eyes filled with emotions. One of those emotions: sadness. |
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In the morning, Nano is put into the kitchen. This is his daytime area. Leaving for the day, I turned to see those big brown eyes starring at me from behind the closed kitchen glass door. Those eyes that say “Please don’t leave me.”
You know, I had tenants screaming in my face about eviction, claiming I had violated their rights. Not one iota of guilt. Nano’s saddened eyes stare at me for two seconds and I’m reduced to a blubbering mess. Maybe if those former tenants had chewed on my underwear, I would have felt some guilt.
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8 Responses to “Dogs and short term gains”
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Oh my… The image of a disgruntled tennant chewing on your underwear made me laugh out loud… I then envisioned Bart Simpson yelling Eat my shorts!!!
Matts last blog post..Postpartum Urinary Incontinence
Those sad eyes will get you every time. I wanted to drop kick my dog when he learned to open the refrigerator. Then I got THE LOOK. Even after 20 years it still works. I need a secret weapon like that when I go on sales calls.
Yeah the guilt is really bad. It has been many moons since a dog looked at me like that. But my tour in the house has come to an end so I’ll be able to sleep with a clear conscience.
Lol, so cute!!
Alisons last blog post..The Numbers
Awwwww… too cute! What kind of dog is Nano?
@Paty: Nano is 100%, complete thoroughbred mutt.
I remeber your dog Clyde from back in the day… What always got me, was how much he loved to do the laundry… Specifically the drying cycle…
Matts last blog post..Fit Women Are At Higher Risk Of Stress Incontinence - But Help Is Available
@Matt: I really do miss Clyde. He was the best!