Dekker Writes Again
Dear Readers of The ReflectivePen—once a month the task of producing a blog post is turned over to Dekker, a class-A service dog who much prefers to contemplate people problems than abide solely in his canine world.
He reminds me that he was trained to serve and that is exactly what he is doing so that this writer gets a week off occasionally. He is happy to answer any questions you —or your pooch, pussycat or parakeet— asks. Just put them in the comments at the end.
Dear Dekker,
My human recently started using a wheelchair,
and I’ve noticed they seem sad about it.
As their cat, I try to cheer them up by
sitting in their lap more, but I’m
worried it’s not enough.
What else can I do
to help?
Purrs, Mittens
Woof Woof, Mittens,
It sounds to me that you are doing what you were created to do. I try to get in my person’s lap, but I am a bit too big for that. That really isn’t what you asked about.
You say you are worried and try to cheer them up. I’m not sure they need to feel cheery about needing a wheelchair. Isn’t it OK to be sad?
When people are sad the best thing you can do is stay close and very still…but purring a love song lets them know they are treasured just as they are.
I have tried to purr but can’t do it very well. It always comes out as “wooooooof”.
Humans are not skilled at being sad, but it seems a lot like the weather to me. Offering them your warm fur coat is a gift, and that is enough.
Sadness passes with time, and there really isn’t anything you or I should do to change that.
Dear Dekker,
My dog Sadie seemed quite happy when we were
visiting Arizona where it had been hot with lots of sand.
I took her out onto the desert every day and she
kept heading off checking out the pee-mail from
the day before. When we returned to Canada,
there was often snow on the ground and she
completely changed. When we went out,
she headed for the pile of snow and
laid down and rolled and rolled
in it. Why did she do that here
but never in the
sand in Arizona?
Thank you, Anne
Woof, Woof, Anne, Good question. I’ve never been to Arizona, but I still have a few thoughts. Does she have a thick fur coat?
I roll in the snow to cool down because I get hot in my thick winter coat. (I can’t hang it in the closet like you do!)
I wish there were snow in the summer! If Arizona sand is hot, why would I want to roll in that?
I also like that snow is soft—not like sand, grass, or cement. I can dig into it easily and it is so much fun to jump in the snow.
I even like to pee in the snow. For some reason my person always squeals when I do that. I guess humans don’t like the idea of putting their butt in the snow.
Do you?
Dear Dekker,
When my grandchildren come to visit they don’t talk
or go out to play. They are always on their cell
phones and I miss them.
What can I do about that?
Thank you, Gramps
Woof Woof, Gramps,
I wonder if cellphones are anything like a fresh new bone. If I had one of those, I would not want to go play, at least until all the fat is chewed off.
I have no idea what the flavor of a cell phone is, but it must be good!
When I have a fresh new bone from the butcher, my person only lets me chew on it for a short while, and then she takes it away.
She does that because she loves me, even though I don’t like it much.
Do you love them enough to take their phone-bone away? Of course, you must make up for that, so be prepared to play…hard.
Dear Dekker,
I am a cute little poodle-pomeranian mix. I don’t do any service work,
but my human loves me like one of her own…who are all grown up
and have moved away. She is always putting ribbons in
my hair and dressing me in a pink lace jacket
when we go out. I notice other dogs don’t get
all dressed up like this and I feel silly.
What can I do. I really am a dog at heart
and I would much rather check out
the daily neighborhood smells than
ride in a little basket with a parasol.
Thanks, Twitzie Pooh
Woof woof, Twitzie Pooh,
One thing I have learned about humans is that sometimes they are so lonely without a spouse or friend they create their own kennel mates from the animal world.
Of course, you could pretend to be the human she needs, but that is difficult at your size….and you don’t speak English, which is probably just as well.
If she continues treating you like a human, you could try treating her like a dog, but it has been my experience that if you steal her hot dog and leave her your kibble she will get quite upset.
I don’t think that is what you want.
My suggestion is to do what you are best at…show her unconditional love, listen without judgment, and wear your bows with pride for they are her way of saying “I Love you.”
