Dekker, a Dog who writes an advice column
How do you tell someone about a dog who writes an advice column?
They look at me as if I had a tail and two floppy ears.
“Yeah, sure! And he bakes apple pie, too!”
I wish Dekker could bake and it would be awesome if he were also a tech guru. Now that is what I could really use!
But alas, he has his limits when it comes to being a service dog.
He knows about 40 commands, some spoken, and some hand signals or even a certain look in my eyes that tells him to lie down.
So how does Dekker ‘write’ an advice column?
If you are a dog person you may have experienced your pet’s ability to ‘know’ things without their having gone to school.
Things like when it is time to sit by the window because you are due to arrive home soon.
The secret when it comes to writing is not your dog’s inability to hold a pen.
It is in developing an ear to listen to his or her heart and having the courage to write what you hear. I bet you also have a dog who writes
Give it a try someday. It is similar to listening to your muse if you have one, or to God if that is your practice.
You will be amazed at what you can learn.
And besides that, being your pet’s transcriptionist is FUN!
Be prepared to hear a lot of “Got kibble?”
RESPONSES TO READER’S QUESTIONS
Joyce wants to know if a dog believes in God
Dear Dekker,
I got into a discussion with my best friend about the existence of God. Do dogs believe in God? Do you? And is it the same God that people believe in or is there a God just for animals?
Thank you, Joyce
Woof, woof, Joyce — I don’t use language the way people do. So ‘God’ I don’t understand.
I have heard my human say what she believes in is Mystery and Love.
Now woof! Those I do understand.
I love my human even when she ignores me. And she has said it is a mystery how I know where she is at all times.
I listen to people share a lot of thoughts and opinions about ‘God’ when I accompany my person to church. The people get together to read and sing and pray.
I don’t do those things. Even still, I know Love when I see it and I love Mystery.
I don’t need to understand it. And that for me, is what you would call ‘God.’
Howard is feeling guilty for his past mistakes
Dear Dekker,
My name is Howard and even though I am going to be a senior citizen soon, I am still troubled by the actions of my youth. I did some horrible things and I can’t seem to let go of the thought that I am not a very good person today. Can you help me?
Woof Howard, Woof! Being a pup is all about doing new things and trying things out. It’s what pups are expected to do.
I destroyed a toy that belonged to a child and then when the toy was replaced I grabbed it and destroyed the new one too.
The people around me were very upset. I hadn’t remembered about that until you mentioned it.
We both learned from our actions— what is good and what, as you say, is horrible.
The difference is in letting the people who I hurt also see my good side, how much I love them, and would do anything for them.
I learned to be a great service dog by first making a lot of wrong choices and then receiving corrections.
Have you learned from being corrected?
Then, woof! You deserve your own red jacket of achievement.
That is what I got after learning to leave others’ toys alone.
Carmella hates to exercise
Dear Dekker,
Can you talk to me about exercise? I hate to exercise and the doc says I need to do a lot of it. Isn’t there something else I could do to stay healthy?
Thank you. Carmella
Woof Carmella – I overheard my trainers tell my person how important it is for me to get exercise too.
It is supposed to keep me healthy and at a good weight. I am not at all concerned about that, however. I just want to play.
I can burn calories just wiggling in excitement when I think she might take me out to sniff the path ahead.
What makes you wiggle? Wiggling is exercise, after all!
So isn’t playing fetch. I could chase a ball all day if she let me.
The secret is to get rid of the word ‘exercise’ and find something that you really enjoy.
And wiggle fast whenever you think of doing it.
LeRoy dreads retirement
Dear Dekker,
I have my 70th birthday coming soon and my company says I must retire. I feel great and still have a lot to give. I don’t want to retire but I have no choice. Grrrrr. This company treated me well for forty years but now I am no good to them. Grrr. I wish I had teeth like you! Grrrr. LeRoy
Woof Woof LeRoy. I can feel your anger and I suggest that grumbling, or even biting, will bring retirement a lot faster.
I have overheard my people talking about the day I will be retired. I don’t like to think about that so I stay pretty focused on today and the treats that are close to home.
Like yummy bones from Bryan, the butcher.
What I do know is that every bone tastes different.
Sometimes I get so obsessed with an old bone that I have gnawing on for a long time I am reluctant to leave it for the new bone waiting for me.
And there seems to be no end to bones.
I wonder what bone is waiting for you to sink your teeth into?
But you’ll have to loosen your jaw on the old bone first.
Dekker enjoys writing but he is first of all a service dog. If you want to know more about service dogs, click here “All About Dekker and Service Dogs.”
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