Joey is supposed to be a Mini Schnauzer. Not so... I have come to find out that she is that rare breed known as Greased Lightening!!
Blink, and she is gone.
Blink and she has gone potty on the rug.
Blink and she is chewing that-which-causes-you-to-gasp-when-you-see-it being-chewed!!
Okay, in all seriousness, Joey is a doll... but lightening fast. I am exhausted! Jim is off work this weekend, and HE has Puppy Patrol all weekend. I am OFF!! I actually got enough sleep last night, and feel so much better. I can sit at the computer and concentrate enough to make sense.. I hope. :-)
Okay, here it is:
Lessons from a Puppy #1
It's been quite a few years since I've had a puppy this little. I'd forgotten that everything... and I mean EVERYTHING goes into their mouth! She is a chewing machine.
In five seconds she can be chewing stuff she shouldn't be chewing! It is taking constant monitoring, all her waking hours.. replacing the wrong stuff with the right chew toy (they already know Jim and Joey by name at the pet store... she goes along riding in the front pocket of his work apron, LOL!). Anyway, that constant monitoring of her is a lot of work!
Sounds like my mind... if I don't constantly monitor my thoughts... I can end up chewing stuff I shouldn't be chewing! Kind of embarrassing to realize my mind can be as undisciplined as a little puppy! If I don't replace those defeating thoughts with the right thoughts, down I go.
This week I was sooo tired, and that's when I get really susceptible to defeatist thinking. All the sad news out of Japan... all the posts on the heartbreaking events... and then I feel guilty for focusing on something so "American" as a new puppy. Then I question why I am even blogging... then I think why do it, I'd be fine without it, and it would be less stress.
Like right now, Jim and Joey just returned from another run to the store. And out the window goes my concentration. Sigh...
Deb recently had a wonderful post, talking partly about people who fool themselves. Hmmm... naturally, reading that this week when I was sooo tired, I questioned if she was talking about me... sorry Deb. Just my squirrelly thinking, all wrapped up in myself as though I were the center of the universe.
Actually, I think it's a good thing to be challenged by friends who care (not saying she was, just taking the lesson from it). That's different than being attacked by people who slice and dice you. At least for ME, it feels different. It comes from a place of caring. And it helps to have the light shined on us at times.
Because I think one of two things can happen: either I find something I need to work on that I hadn't seen before; or, I pass the examination, causing me to be stronger and firmer in my position, which can only help me.
So, thanks for that, Deb.
As for which effect it had on me this time... ha ha ha... don't know yet. I tend to think it's the former... next time Joey is asleep and I can think on it, I'll give it more thought. :-D
From Dr Phil's book: "When you choose your behavior and your thoughts, you choose the consequences that flow from those choices."
My verse for today: "Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her."
My quote for today: "Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try." --Dr Seuss
Enjoy the Journey,
Loretta
=^..^=
DAY 582
14 comments:
Oh the thinks you can think...love that.
Joey is so cute...good luck with the chasing and chewing.
LORETTA!!! You got a puppy!!!! Congratulations on the adorable addition to your family! He looks so sweet! Haha, it sounds like he is a lot like a small child. Your comparison of yourself to your pup made me smile.
Hi Loretta,
Congratulations on your new addition!
As a mama to 3 rambunctious dogs myself, I understand about losing concentration and the difficulty of keeping up with a puppy!
You might want to look into the PeeKeeper for your pup's potty problems. I can't give a personal review yet, but I did just order one for my senior dog, if you're interested I can stop back by with a report after we get & use ours for a bit. If you do order one, google around for a discount code - there are tons of places that offer at least a 10% discount.
Good luck with "Joey"!
C
lol....sounds like a two year old. Not looking and poof their gone..or sticking something in their mouths. Japan depressed me as well...I don't think you'd be human if it didn't. Great way to get back on track. I got your colored pencil book. THANK YOU! I love it..not rudimentary at all..and I love the dwarf rabbits as well.
For goodness sakes, Loretta! I wasn't thinking about anyone at all. No one!
That was a post that was me looking inward and writing out my thoughts as I come to terms with who I am...at this age.
Have you ever had a boss that, obviously and painfully, wasn't walking in boss shoes? Just hadn't settled into the authority of her place and so was ineffective, at best. Inappropriate often. Neurotic and insecure--also often.
I need to settle into my 'older and wiser woman' shoes. I am no longer 30 and while my body reminds me of that on an hourly basis, sometimes my thoughts/feelings do not.
And sometimes, wonderfully, they do. ANd I can feel the wisdom and experience of my years. But, sometimes with that, I keenly feel the cost I have paid in my effort to grow into the person I was meant to be. The cost that peersonal integrity exacts. ANd what courage requires.
I wrote that post from the middle of my own pain and gratitude...and wondering if I'm fooling myself about some things.
Anyway, since I can no longer journal with pen and paper, I let my meditation spill out in a post.
It was all about me, girlfriend. All about me. If it had been for anyone else, I would have explained it better...and knowing me, been much more direct!
Deb
Joey sounds a lot like my Mick! He is a Brittany spaniel and chews on everything, non-stop energize bunny! He's now 7 months old and still just as crazy as when we got him. :)
Don't let the world outside effect you Loretta. There's nothing we can do about it other than pray and perhaps donate. We need to focus on our health and make it as good as we can. This helps everything you, your spouse, family and work.
DEB: I thought it was a wonderful, heartfelt post. And I do get it, that is was from your own experience. I appreciate that you put it all out there, kind of thinking out loud.
Sure, it was about you. But by sharing it, you helped us, too. ME, too. Because it struck a chord in me, and helped me to examine myself. It was just my own feelings of not living up to all my own hype that made me feel like it was describing me. *I* did that, not you. Like I said: my own squirrelly thinking, LOL!
But I love that we can learn from each other, and reading what others are dealing with sometimes helps me to see stuff about myself I hadn't thought of before. So thanks for that. :-)
We love our little Schnauzer. She is such a smart dog! But yeah, the puppy days are tough! Great comparison to undisciplined thoughts!
Curses! Fooled by a litte pupper dog...the cutest dog though.
Whatever the breed, Joey is tres adorable. Yup, puppies are a lot of work. Will keep you busy.
Hope you get rested up and used to the added member to the household soon.
Loretta, I just found your blog via Susie's - I was very interested in your "I'll never quit!" button. I have saved one for my blog. Thanks so much. You're doing great! Congrats!
D
I have two mini-schnauzers and got one as a tiny puppy. I know exactly what you mean about greased lightning and the constant monitoring. Klaus is almost 4 years old now and I still have to watch him. He gets bored too easily! LOL!
Congrats to the new addition to your family :)
Haha! Love your new ticker. Wahoo Spring SlimDown to Summer! :D
Deb
Laughed at your description 'she is a chewing machine.' Ahh, the memories. A tiny version of Noah. But now he is all grown up and he almost doesn't chew on things...
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