Dekker-225
Welcome to Dekker’s monthly post, where he brings canine perspective and wisdom to questions people ask. Dekker is the service dog of the creator of this blog and is highly trained to do all kinds of things, like open doors, turn out lights, pick up everything she drops, and keep her from stumbling over curbs.
She calls him her chief safety officer. His talent for giving advice and opinions emerged during the pandemic when he was getting bored at home. He hasn’t yet learned to type, so his responses are transcribed…but never edited. He welcomes your comments and your questions.
Dear Dekker,
When you get sick – do you ever get sick? – how do you think about getting well again?
Does it disturb you that you are sick?
Thanks for your thoughts, Anne
Woof Woof, Anne,
It’s funny you should ask that question right now. My person took me to the vet…a really cool guy who got on his knees to talk to me.
He talked a long time about the fact that I am losing weight and I am always hungry. (Of course, I wouldn’t be if she would feed me more.)
I have started eating cat poop which is very unsettling to people for some reason.
Dr. B. explained that we dogs don’t smell things all mixed together as people do but as individual ingredients.
It’s like chicken stew in a litterbox. Woof!
But now there is a gate, and I can’t get into the bathroom anymore.
In order to think about getting well, I would have to acknowledge that I am sick first. Woof!!
Don’t you agree that is hard to do? Sometimes, I throw up my dinner, but I wouldn’t call that ‘sick.’
I would call that annoying.
I would be glad to eat it back again, but my person always throws it away. She is especially annoyed when it happens on her bed.
But give me another dish of food, and I’m good to go.
Apparently, I have something that you would call “sick.” I don’t think about it much.
Is it helpful to do that? I could learn. I am a very smart dog, but I listen to people talk about their sicknesses, and it doesn’t sound very helpful.
I would much rather watch the cats get into trouble, or go for a walk, or even just curl up under my person’s desk. When I don’t feel well, I sleep. I think it is the best thing I can do.
Don’t you agree? I don’t have to worry myself about the reason. That’s a people habit.
And I’m a dog. All dog. Got kibble?
(A follow-up note…all tests were negative!)
Dear Dekker,
I’m 84, and my doctor says I need to exercise more.
Walking seems boring. Any tips from a four-legged expert?
Thanks, Reluctant Walker
Woof Woof, Reluctant Walker! You are asking about something I do know a lot about.
I wonder if you are bored because all you do is put one foot after the other and wish you were home.
My first suggestion is to check out the smells. Oh, I forgot…you can’t smell the tracks in the grass, the wonderful aromas of several cats, mixed with the fox that went the same way recently. I can tell you who walked that way earlier, whether male or female and what they ate for supper. Even how old they are!
Then, there is everything that moves outside. It’s not like indoors, where the most exciting thing is an occasional ant that crosses the kitchen floor.
Along with leaves fluttering, cars rolling by, and birds overhead, there is always the possibility of meeting another pup or chasing a butterfly.
I guess 84 is old to chase butterflies. I am told I am 81 in people years, and I am not as fast as I used to be. But I can still remember those days.
I suggest that you think less about what you can’t do anymore and use your walking time to take in the beauty, the sounds, and the fresh air. Going slow is good!!
When you can be as attentive as a dog to all the life around you, you won’t ever be bored again. (You may even meet an old dog for company!)
Dear Dekker,
The ice cream truck drives by every day, and my granddaughter’s
dog goes crazy barking. Are some sounds extra special to dogs?
Thanks, Ice Cream Fan
Woof Woof! You are right on the nose with that one! Woof!
I bet it is the sound of food that your granddaughter’s dog hears. Most people think that it is the smell of food that drives a dog crazy. They would be wrong.
When you can’t smell food because it is in a carton in the freezer or in a tightly sealed canister, you get good at recognizing the sounds that tell you it is close by. It may be the footsteps of your person in the kitchen. It may be the sound of a can opener, or it might be the bell of an ice cream truck!! Lucky pup!!
What sounds tell you that food is close by? I bet you never thought to stop and listen to food!
Woof Woof!! To all my Readers…Thank you for sending your questions. Sometimes, in the middle of winter, I get bored like the man going for a walk. I would give anything for a change in scenery, smells and the chance to meet a new friend, but my person won’t go outside when it is wicked cold! Does that ever happen to you?
I’m not sure why because I love jumping in the white stuff, and everything smells different in the cold. But I am grateful that you are staying in touch and giving me something to do when I have to stay in. Be sure to sign up so you can always fetch my writing!
WOOF WOOF!!!
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