Friday, April 8, 2011

APRIL 8th Lessons From A Puppy #3

Howdy Journal & Friends,

Joey is in bed asleep! I can play on the computer. So I thought I'd share another "lesson" she has taught me.

Joey stuck in the laundry room, til she does her business; 
then she can play with her favorite toy, the Tiger.


Lessons From A Puppy #3


Wishing for something, no matter how desperately you want it, won't change a thing. It takes DOING whatever is necessary... day in and day out, consistently, for as long as it takes.

I wish desperately that Joey was potty trained. Apparently she learned some bad habits by the time we adopted her at 11 weeks old. And now, for 10 hours a day, 5 days a week while Jim is at work, I am trying to train "his" dog.  Oh joy. ;-)  I sooo want my time back... my day... my schedule... my free time to do art... my time to just contemplate uninterrupted. 

But I keep reminding myself that once she learns, she will be delightful. It will be worth it. She is really a sweet, intelligent, enthusiastic bundle of energy. She is worth it.

Obviously I see I need to apply this lesson to my weight loss journey. Every day, consistently, for as long as it takes. It WILL be worth it.




From Dr Phil's book: 
 1. Express your goals in terms of specific behaviors and feelings (Pee ON the paper and I will be soooo happy).
 2. Express your goals in terms that can be measured and are realistic (Make it a whole day without an accident).
 3. Assign a timeline to your goal (ASAP pleeeeeze).
 4. Break down your goal into manageable steps (Learn to go on paper. Tell me when needs to go. Learn to hold it at least a milli-second. Learn to use future doggie door)
 5. Create accountability (Guess who is on Poop Patrol when there is an accident?!)

My verse for today: "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth."

My quote for today: "Buckle up! It makes it harder for the aliens to suck you out of your car." 

Enjoy the Journey,

Loretta
=^..^=

DAY 602

17 comments:

downsizers said...

Cute puppy. She will be worth it. I agree with your analogy. With so many pounds to lose, it is easy to want a "break" but that will just make it take longer to get to our goal. I still have about 60 pounds to go so I need to invest the time to get that done just like you are investing time in the puppy.

Cenandra said...

Joey is so precious, but I understand. We bought a Brittany Spaniel back last September and he was only 18 weeks old. Ugh! Puppies! I so missed my old Pongo who had gone to doggie heaven, still do. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Mick is older now and listens to me well. Still mischievous, but he has no accidents. I am still working on him chewing our chair though. Errrr....

financecupcake said...

Haha, I loved the puppy analogies!!! You are too cute, Retta! Joey is pretty darn cute, too. I can't imagine potty-training a puppy. Your puppy lessons are good lessons. I like that everything is a teaching moment with you. :)

gracies tough journey said...

What a cute puppy. The little face sticking thru the face is just precious. I might have given in with that little face. Aaawww so cute!

Anonymous said...

Loretta, that is the cutest puppy I've ever seen. She has that typical mischievious glint in her eye that terrier types have. :D I need to stop by just to squeeze her.

And the object lesson has no limits! Your lesson sent me down a couple of trails besides the onoe you mentioned. For instance, little Joey is doing what her body is honestly telling her to do. She is peeing and pooping as the natural urge strikes her.

You are asking her to put a hold on her bodily needs--which she is happily taking care of for herself without any help from you--and demanding that she goes where you say...and maybe even ask her permission to go now. :o How confusing that must be. Of course, the alternative is that she would have to be an outside dog! She will benefit from your demands.

But look at us. Well, me. If I were doing only what my body actually demanded, I wouldn't be so fat! Instead, I've been doing what my desires demand--and doing it when and where I please. totally disregarding my body. Joey is one up on me.

But then there is the other thing. The doing what comes naturally that Joey is doing. Isn't that what God asks all Christians to curb? Aren't we asked to bring our fleshly urges and predilections into submission to His rules and stop doing what we please and when we please? I mean, really, adultery wouldn't souind half bad except that God says not to do that.

Yep. Lots of lessons from Joey's little struggle--and yours. She just has to be convinced that despite the seemingly easy life of peeing and pooping at will, there is a better way--and it's yours! haha. good luck.

Deb

Anne H said...

We are all still good little puppies even when stuff happens!

Christine said...

good brother...that face must be hard to resist. good lessons though. lol.

Joy said...

The puppy is adorable!! So are you!! You are so worth the time and effort. Loretta, you are so precious. YOU have no idea!! Do what you need to do for yourself. Push though the hard stuff. You can do this!!

Keep focused!!

PeacefulBird said...

Adorable puppy and splendid lesson... as long as it takes. Loretta, I've been missing you and am sooooooooooo happy to be reading your post today!

Anonymous said...

Loretta, I just stopped back to see that little puppy face sticking out of that lattice work. I'd be embarrassed to tell you how many times I've done this. I even made my husband look.

Thanks for the continual chuckle.

Deb

Parry Peach said...

Joey is so adorable and a great little teacher. Thanks for sharing her with us because now she's a teacher to me, too. Action is what really matters and clearly you've taken massive action to achieve the incredible weight loss stats you've already achieved. You are such an inspiration and Joey is a great little teacher. Love your blog.

M Pax said...

She's so dang cute. Yes, it's worth it. Keep telling yourself what you gain and don't let yourself dwell on what you have to give up. What you gain is so much better. :) And at some point, you're not going to miss it any more. I don't.

135by2012 said...

Joey is just precious! I love those little schnauzer puppy faces.

Anne H said...

Looking for your FB page - do you have one?
And what is that chocolate you like so much that is sugar free?
Name like "wonderful" or something.

MizFit said...

just checking on you.

all ok?

E. Jane said...

Joey is soooo adorable! But I know how much work it is to have a puppy. If only they could train themselves. I know she will be worth the work. Great life lessons from a puppy!

Diana said...

Oh my gosh! How could anyone not fall totally head over heels in love with that face. What a gorgeous, beautiful puppy! He looks like a character for sure. So much fun for you (okay, and a bit of work, but completely worth it I'm sure).

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