Dog Envy

Well friends spring break is in the rear view mirror (literally). It can be hard getting back into the daily grind after a vacation but one thing I look forward to after a long vacation, is seeing my friends. This week I met up with my buddies at the dog park to yip yap about what went on while we were away on spring break.

Nixin spent the whole week with his family. They stayed in town together and went on daily trips. Frank got to go to canine camp where he spent a full week trying all kinds of new activities. And, as you know, I went South to see my grand-hoomans, and had a great time playing in the sunshine. Yet… listening to my buddies talk about how much fun they had, makes me feel like I somehow missed out. 

I kinda wish I had the same expereinces that Nixon and Frank had. Sometimes when I hear about what others have that I don’t, I get an odd feeling. One that is not angry enough to growl about – but gets me just upset enough to show my teeth a little.

This got me to thinking…

Nixin and Frank are without a doubt my best canine buddies. We chase and jump and sniff and have the best times together. We are also VERY different. They are both taller than me and have longer legs. Nixin is a Treeing Walker Coonhound mixed with a Labradoodle, which means he has a super soft coat and is really FAST. Nix was adopted from another family and still keeps in touch with his litter brothers and sisters. 

Frank is an Aussiedoodle, which means he doesn’t shed. Hoomans are always talking about how great that is – “no dog hair everywhere” (blah blah blah). Frank is a “pure breed” too – which means he comes from money and can trace his ancestry. He is SUPER CHILL and probably has the best manners out of all the dogs I know. 

I, on the other paw, am a shelter dog. Not that there’s anything wrong with that – I just don’t run with my original pack. I also shed – A LOT. Sometimes, when I sneeze – my hair shoots off my body and floats all over the house. My hoomans have my hair in their bed, in their car, and on their clothes. So you can imagine, I do not get compliments on my beautiful coat!

Nixin and his long legs and Frank and his hair (not fur) coat sometimes gives me that teeth-baring kinda feeling. Why do I feel this way about my best buddies? Is it because I wish I was a bit taller, knew my ancestry, was a lot less fuzzier?

Truthfully…yes. Sometimes I wish I could be a little more like my friends. When I feel that way I try to remind myself that I am the one of the coolest canines in the history of dogness! I just have to find the greatness in what I’ve got and focus on what is special about me.

So, I am a short beagley “something” type of dog. I will never be tall, or a sleek purebreed with a fur-less coat. Ever. I can not change my breed. I can not change where I came from. I can only be JackJack the Canine Explorer. I may not have long legs – but I can JUMP! I have a family that loves me, and as for the doghair…there is not much I can do about it. So I try and find the positive. I like to look at it as leaving a little piece of me wherever I go!

So friends, as you head into another week, try not to compare yourself to others. It sounds waaaay easier than it actually is and you may find yourself baring your teeth from time to time. It’s natural to want what others have. Just uncurl your lip and think about all the things that you DO have. The trick is not to wish for something different or more, but rather enjoy all that you have been given. Who cares if you got a little dog hair on ya? We all do! 

Bark at you next week – your friend, 

P.S. My weekly canine adventures post on Sundays. If you want to be the first to read about my canine adventures – go to my home page and sign-up!