Dekker Offers His Wisdom to Humans
If this is the first time you have visited one of Dekker’s pages of advice for humans, allow me to introduce him. Dekker is a service dog trained in all manner of important skills by NEADS through a program that matches puppies with prisoners for training.
The result creates teams of dogs and people that work together to increase independence and safety.
What wasn’t so apparent when Dekker first arrived was his unique capacity for reflectio. n and advice but once he began there seems to be little to stop him.
Dekker writes once a month, usually around the beginning of the month, and is happy to consider questions you if you leave them in the comments.
Read what Dekker has to say to these people
Robyn is tired of wearing masks
Samantha struggles with funerals
Theo wants to lose weight and
Vivian hates the music her roommate play
Wilbur’s wife is running around.
Dear Dekker,
I am getting so discouraged because of this COVID thing.
I thought we were getting past it and now it seems
to be getting worse. I don’t think I can take
another year of not traveling,
and of wearing those
dreaded masks.
Can you help me?
Thank you, Robyn
Woof, woof, Robyn. Are you trying to take a whole year at a time? No wonder. I would be overwhelmed too. I only take a day at a time. Sometimes less.
I look ahead to my next meal but never more than that. Where do you want to travel that won’t be there a year or ten years from now? I like going to new places, too. New smells. New sounds. New people, but some of my favorite adventures are right in my backyard.
What is in your backyard? Have you explored the paths and side streets and cemeteries and history of where you live right now?
And when it comes to a mask I understand there are different types. I have a neighbor who has what he calls an oxygen mask. Is that the one you dread? I would too.
I think the cotton ones are much better but that is only from my point of view. I am so glad I don’t have to wear a mask.
I know a man who wears a mask with a dog’s face and it makes people laugh. You might try exploring one of those. (Hint – Get the face of a black lab…they are the sweetest!)
Dear Dekker,
I went to the funeral of my best friend recently and I can’t get over being angry.
I expected to be sad so I read a couple of books about grief.
I didn’t expect to feel so much anger. The funeral
was fine and the people were kind.
Even the weather was good that day.
But I still felt rage inside.
What do I do?
Samantha
Woof Woof. Of course, you feel angry. You were left behind! I felt angry when my person left without me and she was only going to the store.
I felt angry because it had never happened before and I didn’t know what to do. I paced. I looked for food – with no luck.
I am not the sort of dog to expresses my anger like the yappy schnauzer next door. Maybe I would feel better if I did because when anger fills me up, yapping is one way to release it.
Do you ever yap? Nothing bad happens except people may tell you to hush. Let them. That’s OK.
I have seen people do their yapping in a journal. Same benefit and no one will tell you to be quiet. They just don’t understand!
Dear Dekker,
I have been trying to lose weight and nothing seems to work.
Do you have any advice?
Thank you,
Theo
Woof Woof, Theo. My best advice is to let someone else feed you. Someone who won’t let you get your nose in the food bag.
People have so many food bags! I have only two…a big one in the closet and a canister on the counter and believe me I would get into them if I could.
The lids on these have to be heavy because I live with two cats who also love to eat and will move the cover on anything edible if they can. If food isn’t available you can’t eat it.
Dear Dekker
My roommate loves rock music and I can’t stand it.
I prefer classic jazz…or even silence.
I have been considering moving out
because of the constant noise from the stereo.
What do you suggest?
Thank you, Vivian
Woof, Vivian, Woof!! I am generally not in favor of re-homing but sometimes it is the best solution for all involved.
I have heard you can’t change the nature of the beast. I know this is true with dogs and it seems to be so for humans too.
Like you, I am laid back and quiet. If I had to live with jumpy barking Chihuahuas I would want to move away. Fast.
Dear Dekker,
I just found out my wife has been seeing another man.
I know him and the thought of him with my wife makes me want
to punch him out. I thought I would ask you what to do before I do that though.
Thank you, Wilbur
Woof, Wilbur, Grrr – I think I know the feeling. I don’t have a wife but I do have some favorite toys and a special bone. I don’t want to share them with anyone.
Especially a cat and because I live with two of them I sometimes want to let them know exactly how I feel before chasing them away.
The problem with “punching out” your wife’s lover is the crate you could end up in if you do. It is definitely not fair, but that is what happens. You ask what I would do and I have to tell you I would turn on all the charm I can beginning with my two big brown eyes. I would get her to stroke my ears while I wag my tail and wiggle a bit. Irresistible! And then I will just listen. If I yap she is not going to put up with that. But few people can resist soft ears, a wagging tail and being heard without bark-back.
If you want to read more of Dekker’s advice go to his own page HERE. (He loves to hear your questions and concerns and knows when you leave a comment he gets a piece of kibble.)
DON’T MISS ANY OF DEKKER OR THE THEREFLECTIVEPEN.
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