Monday, September 5, 2011

Dickens And The End Of Innocence


Dickens will be a year old on Sunday, which by the human-to-dog-years standard means he'll be seven. He's showing signs of growing up already, but it's time to step up the program.

I've been tolerant (more or less) of his puppyish outbursts, his assaults on the couch cushions, his barking mindlessly at the ball he himself kicked under the deck. No more. From now on when he acts out he'll get a time out in the form of a down-stay. We'll train more, and he'll earn his free time. Unlike some dogs who live out their lives doing as they please (I'm talking to you, dogs on the other side of the backyard fence), Dickens has a greater destiny, to bring comfort and happiness to people in hospitals and care facilities. For that he'll need discipline, and maturity, and respect for me.

Rest up, buddy. You're going to need it.

1 comment:

  1. Uh-oh. Does he at least get a birthday cake (carrot cake is preferred, liver chunks optional) shaped like a bone?
    ~Riley Rex, age 3 1/2

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