Day 262
2/2/23
Here is the next star of Obedience One! Gus started his course tonight and Sam will begin in three weeks. I figured I might as well double up on the classes and training!
Gus entered the building and growled at a few dogs who were in the waiting area. With his impaired sight and recent surgery, I decided it was pretty overwhelming for this guy. After a lot of soothing words and scratches behind the ears, he settled down and became much more calm.
As we entered the ring for our first lesson, we found a spot away from the other dozen dogs and dug in. I was so pleased with him! All four of my Goldens live to please us and Gus was no exception tonight!
Pleasing others is part of my nature. This is not always a good thing, but it is fundamental to my being. Like Gus, in any interaction, I simple want to make the other person happy. Throughout my years on this earth, I still have that strong urge, but now I tend to question my own motives at times. It goes something like this:
Am I making the other person happy? OK
Am I easing someone's burden? OK
Does the other person actually need me? OK
Am I doing this without personal gain? OK
Am I neglecting important things to make others happy? Not OK
Am I helping someone with a focus of meeting a need
of my own? Not OK
Do I have something to gain from the kindness? Not OK
Am I pleasing this person just so they will like me? Not OK
I could go on and on, but it comes down to this: I have decided that pleasing others is wonderful if I don't neglect the important people and beliefs in my life. I also do a quick check to make sure there is no personal gain or need met that might be a sign of selfishness on my part. Sometimes, there is a fine line, but I always recognize it.
All in all, my people pleasing personality typically brings out genuine happiness in others around me. That is an important goal in my life. The one selfish part seems to be that I experience just as much happiness as the person I am trying to please.
Now, Gus loves to please, but he certainly has an ulterior motive...he had about 50 treats tonight for pleasing his mom! I can't wait for Sammy to start! His food motivation is out of this world! At least, when they are Therapy Dogs, they will please people whether they want to or not!
