Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Older Dog Days

We had visitors at work today.  I am shopping benefits for our group in hopes of lining up better insurance options.  Two brokers who visited us were impressed with our "free range dogs."  We were actually down one dog today, since Maddie stayed home to have a "Daddy Day."  Our dog count was three.  People seem to really envy our dog-friendly atmosphere and it's nice for others to see that they add to the environment in such a positive way.


Teddy is also very well-behaved these days.  Even her annoying habit of staring at people while they eat isn't causing any drop in her popularity.  Her latest buzz cut is getting her a lot of hugs.  Our visitors today thought she was a puppy.

Since no one believes me when I tell them just how horribly naughty she was as a pup and they are curious as to what she looked like with a longer coat, I dug up this picture.  This is a classic from her bad-girl days.  Back then, she needed tons of exercise and could not be trusted alone.  She'd get to the point where she was being good and we'd leave her for increasing periods of time.  Then she'd just go on a tear -- literally!

I can't remember the last time she went on a binge of destruction.  She is content to hang out on the bed or couch when we are not home.  Going to work with me has turned in to a real couch slug at night.  She is usually in a semi-state of sleep once dinner is over.  I can honestly say that I like grown up Teddy better than the puppy version!

8 comments:

  1. There is a video of a dog that tore the house up each time he was left alone. So, the people installed a camera to catch him in action. He watched them install the camera. Then, when they left, he played happily and stopped often to look right into the camera. He knew they were watching him, so he was a happy and playful dog, only touching his toys.

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  2. It is funny how when they age they just grow up and become better. Humans not so much.

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    1. I really enjoy watching my dogs grow and see what they become. She still has a lot of the personality she had as a puppy, but the lower level of energy has given her a softer and more lovable version of the brat she used to be. Yeah, humans could learn from dogs!

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  3. Cute rascal. I like Buddy more as an adult too, we bought him a toy at christmas and he hasn't even killed it yet (rubber toy), seems to be maturing finally at age 3. Bought him a second toy for Valentines day similar to the first and he loves them both equally, looks like these will last a lot longer than his old ones.

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    1. Toys are lasting longer for us too. Some a while, some just a couple of days -- still an improvement over being toast the same day!

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  4. I think all dogs are destructive as puppies, or teenagers, I guess. I had a springer spaniel that grabbed a corner of my wall-to-wall carpet and pulled it halfway across the room. Among other things. He ended up being a very good boy, though.

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    1. Dogs teach us that we have to forgive and that is one of the best things about them. You can look back and laugh -- and actually we thought some of her destruction was funny at the time too.

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