Be Nice!

Woof is me! Just yesterday I was running through the yard, sniffing all the great smells and rolling in the grass. Today my head hurts, I am tired, and all I wish is to be left alone. I almost took my hooman’s head off earlier when she wanted me to play fetch. When I am not feeling well, none of my favorite things are enjoyable. Hunting for wildflowers, laying on the deck, not even sneaking up on the squirrels at the bird feeder can bring me back my joy. Illness has a way of robbing me of my happiness. Good thing it’s just allergies!

I have heard so many of canines who have had back luck when it comes to their body just not working right – things waaaay worse than sinus pressure. Stories like the ones of Great Grampa Kirby and his bad balance. I guess he would fall quite a bit toward the end of his time here. The hoomans would have to pick him up because he was so weak. And my cousin Riley, one day he was fine, the next his ability to run was gone! The thrill of racing along-side his hooman’s quad ATV – now just a memory. Even one of my closest buddies is suffering. He went out for a walk, got bit by a bug, and the next thing he knew – he had something called Lyme Disease. Now he has to choke down peanut butter covered pills twice a day! 

You just never know when illness will strike or who may be suffering. That is why it is so VERY important we show compassion to those around us. We can never be sure what others may be going through.

I am so glad my hooman recognized I was not feeling well. Instead of playing fetch, we just laid the grass together. (I think my clue of flopping down and rolling on my back helped). I didn’t mean to snap at her. It was just at that moment, I didn’t want to be ordered around. I was too tired to try to explain myself.

So friends, if you happen to run into a buddy that’s a bit snarley or just not their playful selves, show them some kindness. They may have something really bothering them and just don’t want to bark about it. It is ok for us to not know all the details of each other’s lives. Just be patient and try to understand.

In the end it all boils down to that age old command we all know so well…BE NICE. I’m headed back to the couch.

I’ll bark with ya next week. 

Your friend,