Life Lessons From an Older Pup

Fellow Pups,

My name is Tarsus. I go by Tar-Tar for short -- also by some embarrassing names my mama calls me, which are but certainly not limited to: Tooshy-Baby, Boochie-Bear, Stinker-Muffins, Demon, Fubby, Fubby-Bubby, and Tarty-Bar-Bar. Don't ask. I don't know. None of those make a lick of sense.

My mama always says life is like a box of chocolates, ya never know which one you're going to get. I think she's talking about me. I like to think I'm her favorite kinda chocolate -- milk chocolate with nice smooth caramel inside.

Anywoof, let's get down to business. And no, not the kind my mama tells me to do in the yard.

Unfortunately like many, I made a lot of mistakes in my early puppy youth. You name it, I did it. I urinated more times than I can count on the hard floors. I ruined a toy or two, or three. I completely obliterated the porch screen door. I've annoyed my sister to tears (isn't that what brothers do though?). I've driven my daddy quite batty. I've messed up schoolwork. I've eaten schoolwork. I've eaten pencils. I've ran off to explore the neighborhood sending my mom slipping on ice after me. I've scratched the table. Even the cabinets. If you haven't figured it by now -- I've done it all. Somehow, just somehow though, my Owner still loves me. I try. I fail. I try again. But they still love me. I can't tell you how good it feels to have someone unconditionally love me like that. I wish all other pups and dogs could understand how much they're loved.

I hear my mama talk about this Jesus guy who loves her and everyone else unconditionally. She talks about this word 'grace' a lot. She says that no matter how many times in the past you've failed, there's always a future with this Jesus person -- that is, if you choose. The way she describes Christ's love for her is strangely a little like how I've seen her love me. She loves me despite all the mistakes I've made in my youth. And I've heard her even tell my human brother and sister that Jesus loves them even more than SHE loves them. Is that even woofin' possible? I'm sure she's telling the truth, but I know she sure loves them to the moon-and-back-and-back-again. I can only imagine how much this Jesus guy must love His human-lil-beings if my mama can love a dog like me so much even despite all my stupid mistakes.

So -- getting back to business. Here are some simple/basic lessons I've learned in my young-short-life that I wish to share in hopes my puppy friends don't have to learn the hard way:::

• A lack of patience and trust doesn't get you what you want when you want it. Let's face it, us dogs don't have control over situations for the most part. Control is out of our paws. The sooner we learn that, the better. So I've learned to put my trust in my Owner -- because it's really out of my paws anyhow. My Owner's timing is often better than mine. They know what they're doing, and I don't know what I'm doing for the most part. I'm a dog. My Owner is human. They are quite a bit more knowledgeable than I am. Really.
• Obedience to your Owner will save you a lot of trouble. There are good reasons why your Owner has a set rules to obey. Rules are good. They keep you safe and from doing really dumb things that have a negative effect not just on you, but those you most love (and who love you most). Your Owner took you in. Has loved you unconditionally. Has fed you. Bathed you. You name it. Don't you think the least you (and I) could do is to simply obey them? Think about this the next time you're tempted to run off, sneak something you shouldn't, or see a good lookin' doggy walkin' by.
• The grass isn't greener on the other side. And you know what? The reason it's not green on YOUR side is probably because you've pottied on it too darn much to begin with!
• Some of the most enticing things are the most dangerous. I don't care how good that mushroom looks, DON'T eat it.
• What goes in must come out. Next time you think about eating the squeaker outta that toy, remember this.
• Work hard for what you want. You can't just expect to be given things! Your Owner isn't just going to toss you that treat for nothin'. You better work at sitting on command and being patient or else that treat is toast. No, not real toast. Toast as in nothing. Nevermind. Just know you won't get the treat unless you're willing to put in the work.
• Jealousy causes ugly behavior. My sis gets a lot of attention. That makes me jealous. And in my jealousy, I've acted pretty ugly. I've taken it out on her, even though it wasn't her problem. I'm starting to realize my ugly-jealous-behavior doesn't help me OR my sister. In fact, in the end, it just makes me more and more jealous because my sister gets even more attention from my bad behavior. It's a stupid cycle I'm finally trying to stop.
• Don't give up. I know it's hard not chewing. I know it's hard to stop pottying in places you shouldn't. To stop sniffing backsides. To stop sneaking food off tables. But try, try, try again! Eventually you will get it through that lil numb-head skull of yours -- just after the millionth time or so.
• At the end of the day, your Owner loves you. Let's face it. You're a dog. You do stupid things. Quite often. It's sort of like you're wired that way. But at the end of the day? Your Owner loves you. And they always will. On a side note though -- since they've loved you first, given their all for you despite every stupid mistake you've made...the least you can do is ask for their forgiveness, love them in return, and try to do better from here on out.

                                                                                     Your Pal in Training,                            
                                                                                                                                                 Tarsus