Day 156
10/17/22
These beloved dogs can be so predictable...until they are not. With each of our goldens, and pups before them, there are stories when they act in a very unpredictable manner!
I started thinking about some of those memories when a friend told a story about HIS Golden. Mike had gone to the grocery store to pick up some milk and decided to take Curley along for the ride. This particular store has underground parking with access to the grocery portion through some automatic sliding doors followed by an escalator leading up to the groceries. When our friend came back through the doors and approached his car, he noticed that the parking area was practically vacant. Why not let his pup out of the car for a quick romp before heading home? He let Curley out of the car, watched with delight as he ran around the concrete dog park and then it happened!
Curley noticed the light behind the automatic doors and approached on the run. To Mike's horror and shock, the doors detected his pup, opened and invited him in! Although moving quickly, Mike was no match for the Golden! By the time he got to the top of the escalator, Curley was having a great time skidding around the aisles. All ended well, but I don't think Curley will visit that particular dog park any time soon!
Our extremely intelligent, alpha border collie was a conniver! We once had a wonderful lasagna dinner with guests on a Sunday night. I had made two 9 X 13 pans in case we needed second helpings. Leaving that second hot pan on the top of the stove, we all sat down to visit and enjoy our dinner. All of a sudden, we heard a clatter as the pan in the kitchen hit the floor! Running in, we found Oreo, licking her chops AND the remnants of the second pan. Evidently, she had "Counter Surfed" to devour the majority of the pan and remain undetected. There were only a few scraps left in the pan! It took over 24 hours, but the lasagna made another appearance. Mac sat in the bathroom all night with that border collie until the show was over. They bonded during that horrible event and I think she loved him most!
Of course, our Goldens surprise us in wonderful, amazing ways with their generous spirits and unconditional love. However, they can also deliver some not-so-entertaining surprises from time to time. We cut them so much slack and love them anyway!
I have had some unexpected surprises of my own! One of the biggest and, in retrospect, life altering was when I learned I was expecting twins. During the ultrasound, I became slightly alarmed when the technician stepped outside the door and called for a doctor to join us. By the time the physician had taken over the exam, others poured into the room. Turning the monitor my way, the doctor had positioned the two heads on the screen. Congratulations were offered by the entire entourage! Looking at those faces, I was shocked with delight. I felt chosen in a way. They have never disappointed from that moment on!
When unexpected occurrences provide an unpredictable moment, I have found that there is sometimes a viable option to the "fight or flight" choice. "Stop and Process" works in non-emergencies. Taking a few deep breaths and assessing the surprise allows me to choose the best path forward. Do I always react this way...probably not, but I strive to slow my reactions down.
Surprises, good or bad, can provide a way to grow. Reacting and acting can be controlled and learning can abound! Oreo would have been the first to admit that from her experience, there would be NO MORE LASAGNA! Now cookies might have been another story...
