If the doorbell rings, both dogs run to the foyer and place themselves in a "sit" while waiting for my husband or me to come and answer the door. First we must use the sign or say the word "stay." Otherwise they will break the sit, perhaps because they did it themselves.
One of their persistent rituals occurs at lunch. While we are having lunch, each dog is lying around snoozing and waiting. The instant my husband carries his dishes over, each dog will open her eyes not moving a muscle.
Lucy opens her eyes.
Ellie opens her eyes, but doesn't make any move to get up.
My husband starts downstairs and Lucy immediately jumps up and follows him. Ellie lies in the same position until my husband calls her. She slowly walks to the top of the stairs and lies there watching.
She becomes a little more alert as she sees Lucy in the hall with her collar and leash.
She won't get up until my husband calls again. She does a big stretch.
Finally she starts down the stairs.
----------------We have no idea how these rituals began and why they seem so important to the dogs. But they continue day after day. They become humorous to watch since they never vary at all. It must be reassuring to have these little events in your life that don't change.
---------------Can this really be the last weekend in June? I can't recall a spring that has flown past as quickly as this one. Wasn't it just a week or so since the migration? And now the fledglings are feeding and the adults are preparing for another brood. Wasn't it just a week or so since we saw our first spring flowers? And now they are all spent. Weren't we just complaining about the cold? And now the weather says summertime.
----------------Because the time is a-flying, we must look more closely at our relationships with others. Our time is too short to spend on petty grievances. If there is discord in your life, be the first to step up and try to make it right.
HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND. STAY SAFE AND HAPPY AND DO AT LEAST ONE THING THAT BRINGS YOU JOY.
31 comments:
Don't you just swear they can read your mind too? And they must follow their rituals or they will just be out of sync. But hey I am the same way. Too set in my ways to change.
As always love these golden Fridays.
Funny how they follow the same rituals. My dogs have some they follow, too.
And you are right, time flies, and it is way too short to hold on to petty things.
Have a great weekend!
I used to think cats were more ritualistic but not any more. And the "mind reading" ability drives me crazy. In spite of all my pretending otherwise Mr Psychic knows when I want to put him in his kennel.
It is very interesting to watch the dogs rituals. Our dogs are the same. When we first got Samantha it was near winter time. So each time we came in the house, we would wipe her paws with a towel. So now everytime she comes inside, she waits to get her paws wipe(even when it's dry outside).
Have a great weekend!
YD
If the girls could talk, perhaps they'd discuss the routines and rituals of their handlers. ;-)
I can't believe it's the end of June either. I don't know where it's gone but I'm determined to enjoy every single summer day. Winter will be back soon enough.
It is so true about routines!
When I lost my good old girl, the routine changed some - sure miss her
Spring DID fly by! I can't believe June is almost over when I didn't know it was June yet *laugh*
Thank you for such lovely thoughts and precious pictures. A great way to start off the weekend!
The girls' rituals are certainly interesting. I think part of it might be that you've trained them so well. It definitely is hard to believe that we're almost half way through 2009! Have a great weekend.
I so look forward to my Golden Friday fix! But as I read the stories, I hear routines both on the human and canine side of things!
Ahh--other dogs with rituals. Good. I know just what you mean. And the big dog stretch, love it. My dog does that--as if to say--oh if I must. But of course what I am doing is getting ready to walk her. Please.
I think June went flying by because it seemed like an extension of spring here--cool, rainy. Now--blam--summer.
I'm just like Ellie and Lucy - my little "rituals" make me feel comfortable and secure! Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Awww.... those rituals! Aren't they just something?! These that you've captured are so cute! We have watched (and admired) the rituals in ours, and those rituals are often what give us some great conversations... just to see yet another ritual occurring ... it's always worthy of acknowledgement - lol, and sometimes those little moments of someone acknowledging one of those rituals (like, "just look at him") will lead to more discussion on how we LOVE those rituals - lol. And ... (can make me cry to just think of what it does when a time comes those ritual might not be there) ... it's those things that are SO missed.
But anyone who's ever loved their dogs like that knows all too well what that absence can feel like. And ... time does fly. When I read that it was the last weekend in June, I thought "no way..." (but indeed, it is.) Hard to believe.
Wonderful post! Great pictures, and the description of how your gals do their rituals ... it's just wonderful! Have a great weekend.
Routine... Even we humans like routine--up to a point. I can understand why dogs enjoy it!!!! It's called a stable environment.
Why don't you ask your hubby to do something different one day ---just to 'see' what the doggies do??? That would be a cute "Fridays are Golden" post.
Yes, time is flying ---and we all do need to tell the others we love just exactly what they mean to us.
Have a great weekend.
Hugs,
Betsy
Ellie must be the patient one of the two! :-) I imagine routine gives them comfort as well as something to look forward too! I'm looking forward to establishing routines w/ my new pup too! :)
Dogs are just the best friends for we humans. They are just wonderful!
Oh you girls, I just love you!
Nice stretch there. Almost like my cats.
Carolyn...on my way to bed but had to come see the girls! I've been canning all day and I'm bushed! The rituals are sweet! We havr them here too and needless to say, that has had a bomb thrown in the middle this week. Poor Jake and TC
the cat don't know what to think!
They are..creatures of habit for sure..
Great post..and I loved hearing about thier particular habits.
always love spending time with the "girls!"
What a great post. I always love seeing pictures of your golden girls and hearing the stories about them.
Dogs are creatures of habit, I think....and I love to see Lucy and Ellie in their daily routine....
Nella to does the same things on a daily basis...why, I have no idea.....
I always love your last paragraph....it always makes me think......
Each year seems to speed up....a blink of an eye and another year has gone. We must make the most of every day and enjoy it for what it is.....
Thank you......
Carolyn: What a great thought to guide you through life.
Its funny.... Cute dog. thanks for sharing....
The spring definitely has flown by quickly. We're already into summer, almost into July, and before you know it, it'll be Christmas..
I love little rituals like that, especially things like one dog coming when she hears the other's collar clicked in. The trainer in me smiles at how dogs can be so conditioned to specific sounds. :)
What well-trained girls you have! We never mastered front-door manners, but since Miss Piggy doesn't CARE who's at the door, it isn't a problem with her like it has been with past dogs.
I always enjoy looking at your dogs. (and your wonderful porch!)
Glad I'm not the only one who's wondering where spring went. I keep thinking I need to get out and catch some migrants, then I remember it's almost July -- practically time to catch those migrants going the opposite direction!
You're also right about settling grievances. I keep trying with a certain someone, but she just won't listen. It's frustrating, trying to take the high road and avoid her bitterness. Wish she read your blog so maybe you could have an impact where I don't.
Hi, just stopping by for a visit and I have never BOL so hard in my life at the pics, how wonderful!!!!
xoxo
Miley
Dogs and cats are amazing at what they can predict...a little eerie some times! Change is not something my Brittany likes at all...he has his day down pat..and keeps us on the same path. If we forget its time to walk he bring one of us the leash, if it is time to eat he prances around our feet..and yep, when I look up its 5 o'clock and he doesn't even wear a watch! How does he do that? lol!!
Lucy and Ellie are beautiful! My dogs have their little rituals too, and fun to watch.
It is amazing how fast time is flying. I can't believe it's July already.
Have a good weekend!
Hugs,
Donna
Hey, it's Friday and the Golden Girls don't have a new post up. Hope all is okay there.
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