Our dogs lead rather structured lives. They know all the cues of various activities. They go for walks at regular times. When it's time for a walk, my husband goes out to the garage to change his shoes and grab some poop bags. The Golden Girls run to the doorway, waiting for him to come inside and put the leashes on them.
They always stand so close they have to move when he opens the door.
Every...single...time
They love to play and run in the woods behind the house.
They both invariably want the same stick as if it's the only one in the forest.
They know when suppertime arrives. At 4:30 every afternoon. (Changing to standard time is confusing for them.) They rush downstairs when my husband gets up. Our dogs have no satiety center and given a chance, they would eat themselves into obesity. They get measured portions twice daily and they are both at healthy weights. [Would it surprise you to learn that Lucy (red collar) outweighs Ellie (blue collar) by a pound and a half?] I won't dwell on it, but I really get frustrated with owners of overweight dogs, especially those who moan about the dog's arthritis or joint problems. They eat what you feed them, folks. They exercise when you take them.
Lucy stands on the shower/grooming table.
She watches my husband measure the food.
While Ellie stays closer to the food.
The girls always love the onset of Autumn with the cool crisp mornings and nice days. They will soon be given more freedom to run and play off-leash as the snakes find winter resting places. Before the onslaught of leaf peepers we will take them to places in Pisgah National Forest where they can roam and investigate the wonderful smells.
I love Autumn in the NC mountains more than any place I have ever lived. The last few years we were in Wisconsin, I rather dreaded Autumn because it heralded months of gray days and snow. I had come to hate snow, seeing it through different eyes than when the children were smaller. (And I was younger.)
Today's quote is from B.C. Forbes, founder of Forbes Magazine.
"Believe in yourself, your neighbors, your work, your ultimate attainment of complete happiness. It is only the farmer who faithfully plants seeds in Spring who reaps a harvest in Autumn."
He was talking about living your life, not about farmers. Believe in yourself and work toward your ultimate goal of happiness.
HAVE A MOST WONDERFUL WEEKEND, EVERYONE!!!
13 comments:
I wish someone would measure out MY food & take ME out to exercise :)
If you raised kids anything like you have raised your dogs, with structure, etc., I'll bet they are just as wonderful as these Golden Girls. Dog parents and kid parents, would be wise to to do the same!
Happy Friday to you! I love your girls routine; our last two dogs had their down pat and would let us know when it was dinner time. It is so cold and dreary here today-I just want to curl up and stay warm.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Hugs, Noreen
Structure is good for us all! We also measure the dogs food; they WOULD eat themselves to death if not.
Enjoy your crisp weekend...NC is heavenly this time of year.
You are smart keeping your girls at a good weight. I have to keep Mighty lean as he is walking on two repaired knees.
Your girls have you trained quite well. I love it when dogs can go off leash.
I know it is crazy but I have two litter mates we have had since wee babies and I feed them both the same thing and the same amounts.
One is a porker and one is thin and very pretty.
Go figure.
Your girls are so happy with their routines. All three of my children have dogs and they are all treated differently, although the love for them is the same.
my dogs sure have a routine around eating as well! they eat about 6am and then, if i'm home, they do their little food time routine...richard starts groaning, i get up to see what is going on, the other dogs come as if "it is time!" i usually give in, even if it is early, so they settle!
love the quote..
like the dog grooming area...(i put in a dog shower, but didn't think of a grooming table..since i dislike grooming) :)
xoxo
Like you, we also have a routine at mealtime--We have too. Each dog knows their place and the order that they are given their meal and we always follow it. We also do that throughout the day with walks etc., and I find that our group thrives on that routine, and so do I! :-) And I am right there with you on the overweight dogs, too many people think that a 100+ Golden is a healthy one--YIKES!
Good words from B.C. Forbes. The Golden Girls look happy and routine is sometimes a good thing for animals and people. Hope your weekend is great!
I think dogs like structure -- they know what to expect and when. Loved your pictures of the rose breasted grosbeaks -- we had them around all summer but they seem to have moved on. And I shall definitely read EMPTY MANSIONS -- sounds fascinating!
Thanks for your comments, everyone.
Peruby - Dogs, like people have different metabolisms. (I am assuming you watch to make certain one dog isn't taking another's food.)
kks - I don't much like grooming either. But I hate dog hairs more.
Vicki - I really liked the book. I'm jealous that you have the grosbeaks all summer. Altitude is everything.
I remember those grey days, too.
I like your food bin. Remember where you bought it? Ivy chewed on the lid of ours during one of her visits.
Is that your laundry room? It is a dog spa!
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