Monday, September 19, 2011

Taking the High Road

I took the high road today.

Mom and I went for a wonderful walk to Hobb's Woods. It was a particularly a good-smelling walk because of all the rain from last night. The birds were all singing, and the chipmunks were, well, chipping away.

At the woods, there is a point where I must decide which path to take. The low path takes us really close to the creek. And the creek was higher today than usual which means the frogs would be out in full force and we all know how much I love to chase frogs.

The high path takes us through the woods and up and down hills. We get an extra workout because of all the hills. Plus, the birds were so happily singing and the ground just smelled so good.

In making such a decision, it means that I get to enjoy a lot of good things and it also means that I will have to give up some things.

So I chose the high path. I knew I would give up splashing in the creek, chasing frogs, and getting my paws all grubby. But the high path offered me its own treasures--running up and down hills, finding sticks to nibble upon, birds to chase. What a great day for such an adventure!

I chose the high road and I found my happiness!

Thought for you humans:
When have you had to make a decision whether to take the high road or the low road? When have you chosen to take the high road by being true to yourself and to your moral system? When have you taken the low road and forgot who you really are in favor of the status quo or making yourself look good? Is it easier to take the high road or the low road?

Friday, September 16, 2011

An Open Letter to all Birds

Dear Birds,

Hello! My name is Thunder, and I am a puppy. Because I am a puppy, I like to sniff things, run fast, and chew on everything. But most of all, I like to chase. I chase trucks, cars, bikes, motorcycles, scooters, children, mom, squirrels, bunnies, and frogs.

I also like to chase birds.

I chase you birds because that is what I am supposed to do as a puppy. I don't want to catch you or even eat you. I just want a good game of chase. When I chase, the wind whistles through my ears and my nose. You have no idea what kinds of smells I encounter when I chase. Ah, a puppy's delight!

I want to smell the way you birds smell when your fly. I want to hear your wings flapping in the air. You are so lucky you have wings and can fly. I try flapping my four legs when I jump off the chair in my attempt to fly, but so far, I just flop to the ground. I can't fly, but I sure can chase.

So, please, birds, don't be scared when I try to chase you. Don't sit on rooftops squawking at me or talking about me behind my back. Please don't spread unkind rumors to the other birds that I am out to chase them and eat them.

I mean no harm. I just love to chase. And you love to fly. I think we can make great partners.

Love,
Thunder, the Dog.

Thought for you humans:
When have you felt unfairly judged? When do you unfairly judge others? When have you felt your motives were misunderstood?

Monday, September 12, 2011

Stuck Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Hobb's Woods is my most absolute favorite place in the world. (Actually, my food dish is my most favorite place.) Hobb's Woods is filled with all kinds of smelly things, like flowers and dead animals. I can run around there without a leash, as long as I stay on the trails. There is a wonderful creek there, too. I love to splash around in the creek and get my paws cooled off and slather my whole body full of mud. The best part is when I chase frogs from the rocks into the creek.

That's how I slid in between two rocks and got stuck and mom had to pull me out. I saw a darling little frog nestled on the rock and I just had to chase it, but the frog hopped away so fast! I ran faster on the rocks to get the frog, but my paws slid on the rocks and I fell in between two of them. My two front paws were up on a rock and my two back paws were hanging in the water. I started to shake because I got a little scared of what happened. But then mom came and dragged me out.

You could say that I was stuck between a rock and a hard place at Hobb's Woods!

Thought for you humans:
When was the last time you were stuck between a rock and a hard place? What decision did you need to make but had a hard time figuring out what to do? How did you make your decision? Were you happy with it, or did you change your mind? Did you have someone help make your decision?

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Finding My Bark-Voice

Mom says I found my bark-voice! I always knew my bark-voice was somewhere within me, and now I feel confident enough to let it out!

My bark-voice comes out in three ways:

Woof!
This means that something has caught my attention, like a sudden noise or something that is unfamiliar to me. I will Woof! when I see a dog across the street when I am taking a walk with mom or when I see an ant on the ground.  I will also Woof! when I am playing with any of my dog-friends as a way to get their attention!

Bark!
This means, "Mom! Come quick!" or "Mom! I'm still waiting for my treat!" or "Mom! Give me a boost onto the couch!" or "Mom! I can't get the ball out from under the table!" or "Mom! Open the car door so I can jump in!" or "Mom! Let me onto your bed!" or "Mom! I've got to go outside! Hurry!"

BarkBarkBarkBarkBarkBarkBarkBarkBarkBarkBarkBarkBarkBarkBark
This is my urgent, warning voice. I will use this bark-voice when the garbage truck wakes me up or when Ellie, my neighbor dog-friend, is outside or when a motorcycle drives by the house or when bicyclists pedal by or when the sump pump goes off and water comes out of the hose when I have my nose stuck inside it or when our neighbors are mowing their lawns. Mom says I have to be careful using this bark-voice because I tend to overuse it and it's hard for me to settle down once I get going.

I'm glad I found my bark-voice and can let it out.There are just some things about which I must speak up and be heard!

Thought for you humans:
Have you found your voice yet? What is your voice? About what are you so passionate that you must speak up and not remain silent? How do you get others to listen to you?