That is exactly what Yuri, Greta, Boris, Marx and our newest member Gorby will tell you. My dogs think that they know everything there is to know about me and that it takes me so much time to learn about them.
Take the case of Gorby, the new Toy Poodle in our home. He knows exactly the kind of look to give me so that my heart melts and he gets his way. He also loves to snuggle close to me at night as he shares my bed and licks my face before he goes off to dream-land. How can I not love the little guy? Oh, and he’s really cute, too. Add that as another point to all his endearing traits.
But, truth to tell, it took me some time to find a way to deal with a jealousy problem between Yuri and Gorby. You see, Yuri is already eight years old and he has gotten used to being the little guy of my life. But when Gorby came Yuri seemed to have shut me out of his life – a situation which greatly distressed me.
I consulted two vets about the problem and all they could tell me was that I would have to be able to read Yuri’s language a little more closely and give him all the attention I can so that he would get over his being jealous about Gorby.
Fine.
Now, each time I get home I make it a point to greet Yuri first. But that ain’t so easy because Gorby jumps up and down and up and down and up and down until I say hi to him too. I have also learned to throw Gorby’s toys so that he can run off and chase them as I talk to and hold Yuri close.
At the start it was really so difficult for me to win Yuri back. He would hide under the sofa and refuse to come to me when I called him, no matter if I had his favorite treat ready for him. But it took me a lot of time and a great amount of patience to win Yuri back.
Yuri is such a wonderful guy. He is patient to a fault, and I have never seen him angry no matter what any of his other siblings (Marx, Boris or Greta) do to him. I have always referred to him as a cool dude dog. And even when Gorby came, Yuri was still his cool self but he chose to hide from Gorby rather than face him.
It has been a month since Gorby joined our family. And yes, because of his cute antics he often steals the thunder from under Yuri.
It is true, both Yuri and Gorby have taught me that if I listen to them well enough I would be able to understand what would make them happy.
Yuri has adjusted to Gorby’s presence. As for Gorby, all he really wants to do is play with Yuri. Matter of fact, he copies everything Yuri does. Amazing.
It’s great to have dogs. Patience they have taught me.
Now if only I could practice the same patience with all the humans who come my way.