THE POWER OF THE DOG

Rudyard Kipling

There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
But when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and sisters I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.
Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie--
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for a dog to tear.
When the fourteen years that nature permits
Are closing in asthma or tumors or fits
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers, or loaded guns.
Then you will find--its your own affair
But--you've given your heart to a dog to tear.
When the body that lived at your single will
When the whimper of welcome is stilled (how still!)
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone--wherever it goes--for good,
You still discover how much you care
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.
We've sorrow enough in the natural way
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we've kept 'em the more do we grieve;
For when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short time loan is as bad as a long--
So why in Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?

Merry Christmas from our pack to yours

Gambol, Buddy, Kilo, Hank

Doggie school

One of the dog club members always brings her 15mo daughter to... (everything).  Mostly she sits on the chair and watches or plays with her bag of tricks.  But the last 2 classes she has decided I need help with Buddy, so she toddles over and holds his leash end  (while I hold it close to him). She pets him gently, and he seems to like it. She signs but only dog signs. And that.is.adorable. 

Last night Buddy and I were in the ring practicing an off leash thing when a young male German short haired pointer got loose and the zoomies.  Buddy was doing really doing well when the GSP interrupted his concentration.  Bud got POed and barred his teeth and growled, but didn't do anything else.  I had him by his collar under control while this teenage boy-dog got in his face and tried to pick a fight.  I don't know if Buddy was protecting me (I think not) or just didn't like this kid in his face. Anyway, all's well that ends well; the owner had to leave the ring, distracting the dog long enough so the teacher could calmly snag him.

Kilo is getting used to the equipment and the other dogs.  He barks and sings along with them but is learning to follow some of the handling techniques.  He did a great, straight-away recall half the length of the building when Paul called. Of course now he knows there's a treat waiting between Paul's fingers.

Gambol gets a quiet night at home with a good bone and without his brothers.  He doesn't seem to mind.