Having trouble waking up this morning sufficiently to put together a few sentences. Yesterday was exhausting and I’ll tell you more about it tomorrow. (You have been on the road since 6am, so I know you’re not sympathetic, but then again you can sleep late all week.)
Since a picture says 1,000 words, I’ve decided to let the photo take over.
More details to come.
Have you ever noticed that we (and by “we” I mean people) tend toward different behavior in different situations?
I don’t mean that you behave differently at a Katy Perry concert than you do at a symphony orchestra concert, or that you behave differently on a job interview than you do at a frat party. I mean that depending on the stresses and stressors in your immediate life, we (again, people) react and behave differently.
For example, when I take the Puppy for his regular vet visit, I’m relaxed and at ease. If I take him to the vet because something is wrong, the stress leads me down Cheeky Lane, suggests a left at Sarcasm Alley, and comes to a screeching halt Smart Ass Road. This trip to Bordering on Rude is not my intent at all and as I hear myself I start apologizing to the medical professionals who I know are just trying to help. They (inevitably) tell me not to worry about it (translation: we’ve seen worse but it would be best if you’d stop talking and let us finish the instructions we’re trying to give you).
Their kindness, my stress, and the fact that 11 seconds have gone by generally leads to another “joke” on my part (and by “joke” I mean an attempt to be funny that falls completely flat) and around we go on the carousel again.
The veterinary professionals have – in point of fact – seen this behavior before (and probably without all the apologies). They see it several many times a day and completely understand the source of the worry that causes it. They understand, they forgive, and they patch up the puppies that don’t bother with commenting on the situation.
We tend to carry our stresses with us, like a bad taco (Happy Cinco de Mayo) into situations where they don’t belong.
When we’re stressed about something at home, we generally can’t leave it there (where it belongs) when we head out to work, or class, or a date. It tags along like an unwanted alien, disrupting our focus and causing us to behave in ways that seem incongruent with the time and place.
Scenario 1
Boss: How is your project going?
Employee (under normal circumstances): Fine thanks.
Boss: Great, let me know if you need anything.
Scenario 2
Boss: How is your project going?
Employee (under serious stress at home): Why are you hounding me!? I said I’d get it done and I’ll get it done! Stop treating me this way.
Boss: Huh?
Other employees: Oooh, we get to see an exorcism!
The next time you see someone behaving in a way that seems out of character, give them a break. See if they are ok, really ok. Listen for things that aren’t said.
And when they get around to apologizing for their behavior, accept the apology and move on.
Me: Come on you. Let’s get you brushed.
Puppy: I like being brushed.
Me: I know. Come on outside.
Puppy: This feels great.
Me: It might even feel better if you stopped squirming.
Puppy: Why are we doing this?
Me: Because you shed. So we’re brushing off fur you’re done with.
Puppy: But you still need it, right?
Me: Huh? What do you mean?
Puppy: You’re brushing the fur off me and on to you. So you need it.
Me: I am rather covered in fur.
Puppy: It looks very nice.
Me: It looks like I’m changing clothes when we go inside.
Puppy: Take good care of my fur. I might want it back some day.
Puppy: Don’t want to.
Me: You have to get trimmed.
Puppy: Don’t. Want. To.
Me: It’s not really one of the things you have a choice about. Hold still.
Puppy: It hurts! It hurts!
Me: Getting your fur trimmed does not hurt.
Puppy: It hurts! I’m going to die! Call the EMT! Call Animal Cruelty!
Me: You’re being groomed not garroted. Calm down, silly.
Puppy: It’s awful! All my fur is being taken away. It’s insulting! It’s embarrassing! I’m in pain!
Me: You know we have this conversation every time.
Puppy: I’m filing a complaint!
Me: OK. All done.
Puppy: I look gorgeous.
Me: Yep.
Puppy: And it really didn’t hurt at all.
Me: And the conversation ends the same way every time.
Puppy: With a treat?
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Puppy: Let’s play.
Me: Honey, I can’t.
Puppy: Come on, let’s play!
Me: Sweetie, I’m busy.
Puppy: Nonsense. “Busy” means typing on your computer.
Me: I’m busy doing other things.
Puppy: You can’t change what words mean!
Puppy: Mom
Me: Mmmm?
Puppy: MOM!
Me: What sweetie?
Puppy: What are you doing?
Me: Cleaning.
Puppy: There seems to be a lot of it.
Me: Yep. And you’re next.
Puppy: Who’s next?
Me: You.
Puppy: I get to clean?
Me: You get to be clean.
Puppy: That does not sound like it’s going to be good for me.
Puppy: What are you doing?
Me: I’m cleaning.
Puppy: I’ve never seen you do that before.
Me: It happens every now and then.
Puppy: Why are you cleaning?
Me: The dust dragons are getting out of control.
Puppy: Are you taking them to obedience class?
Me: I don’t think there are classes for dust dragons.
Puppy: I don’t think that looks like a pile of dragons.
Me: You’re very perceptive…
Puppy: Are you done cleaning?
Me: Not yet.
Puppy: I think you should be done now.
Me: I have a lot to do.
Puppy: I think you should take time to snuggle with me.
Me: I need to get some cleaning done.
Puppy: Snuggling!
Me: On the other hand, I might be able to take a small break.
Puppy: Excellent!
Me: Hey! Where are you going? I thought we were snuggling?
Puppy: Enjoy your break. I’m going to stare out the window for a while.
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Me: Coffee, I need coffee.
Puppy: Let’s go for a walk.
Me: It’s raining. You hate rain.
Puppy: Let’s go for a walk.
Me: I really, really need coffee.
Puppy: Let’s take the coffee for a walk.
Me: You hate the rain. Or did I say that already?
Puppy: I don’t hate the rain. I love the rain.
Me: Who are you and what have you done with the dog that lives here?
Puppy: Don’t you think it would be a great idea?
Me: Coffee working faster would be a great idea.
Puppy: Comeoncomeoncomeon.
Me: Fine. We’ll go for a walk. But you won’t be happy about it.
Puppy: What are you talking about? I love walks.
Me: Okey dokey kiddo. Let’s go.
Puppy: In that rain? Are you kidding?
Me: Come on, you, it is time to go for a walk.
Puppy: I’ll melt!
Me: You will not melt. You will walk.
Puppy: But I can’t go.
Me: You can’t?
Puppy: No. I can’t. I have to stay here with my new pink Pig.
Me: Your pig will wait.
Puppy: You don’t know very much about pigs, do you?
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Today is National Pull Up Weeds Day. Actually, it isn’t, but that’s what Dad and I are going to spend a great deal of the day doing, so it might as well be. Since we are exceptional weed growers (no, not that kind of weed; the kind of weed that doesn’t belong where it’s growing), this will not be a one-and-done activity. Unfortunately.
Yesterday, the Puppy had a (very badly needed) bath. Following Dad’s rule of “At Least 12 Hours Before He Can Roll In Something Stinky”, he was confined to a leash with a person at the other end of it. Today he will be allowed to roam around and roll in the grass and have a marvelous time being a dog.
I have no doubt he will re-stink himself.
In other news, it might actually be Spring, although what with this being Southwest Ohio, I don’t want to overcommit.
The crocuses are up (yay), the hyacinth is up (yay), the tulips are having a cup of coffee and considering blooming (yay), and the weeds are rushing to be the first to take up residence (see Pulling Up Weeds).
The birds are starting to wear their spring finery. We have a blue jay who has been hanging out in the backyard busily expressing his views on Life; I’m not sure if I agree with everything he has to say, but his outfit is smashing.
The woodpeckers are out and pecking. Dad’s been busy watching them and identifying each specie. As long as they stick to trees and telephone poles that aren’t near our house, he thinks they are marvelous.
Our across the street neighbors are moving. No, not those ones, the ones to the right in The House That Can’t Keep Anyone More Than 5 Years. I believe new people move in sometime in April. Welcome to the neighborhood, new people.
Time to go pull on some gardening gloves and attack the invaders.
To all those celebrating, Happy Easter.
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