Tricky Business

Trick or Treat! Is there even a question here? Nothin gets my tail waggin faster than a delicious treat. I am 100% on board with going from door to door collecting treats – this is a genius hooman holiday! The only part about Halloween where I get a bit confused is the costumes. Lately my hoomom has been dressing me up in different “outfits” and I gotta say…it feels weird.

Now, if you are the kind of canine that likes to wear outfits – go for it. I, however, just don’t enjoy it. I think it is important to let others know when you are not comfortable. Sometimes, we go about our daily tasks making sure those around us feel good about something but deep down inside, we are not feeling so great.

I understand that on Halloween, hoomans (and sometimes animals) dress up to be silly and that is all good and fun. But I am talking about the everyday. The days when you may find yourself going along to get along. Where you may feel that you have to pretend to be something you are not – just because you are worried you may upset someone else. If you find yourself in those situations – you have to let others know. 

Now this is where it can get tricky…there is a very fine line between being honest and being rude or barking about what we think is best versus taking time to listen and be respectful of others. It is very important to consider others’ feelings and their point of view, but if you find yourself doing something that you’re not enjoying or being someone you are not – it is time to speak up. 

Speaking up takes courage and is not always easy. My hoomom really gets a kick out of dressing me in funny outfits (and it makes her laugh a lot), but it does not make me happy. So, I finally had to let her know that although it clearly brings her great joy to put me in canine costumes – I dislike it very much. I didn’t snap at her or anything. I just showed her in a loving and kind way how I felt. And you know what? She understood! Turns out she loves me just the way I am – extra long tongue and all!

So friends, as we head into a new week and a brand new month, let’s practice the tricky business of kindly sharing our true selves, and help those around us understand us a little more. Show off your amazing personality to the world and those who love you will respond with resounding support and accept you just the way you are – I know I do! 

Have a Happy Halloween 🎃- bark at you next week!

Your friend,