We all think our own dog is smart. They know certain words and respond
appropriately. We expect them to drool
at the word “dinner” and do the happy dance and the word “walk”. The obedient and well-trained pups come when
called. The less obedient still understand
the command, but would rather chase the squirrel so they stay just out of
reach.
Yes, I know my dog, Riley, is smart. I just didn’t realize how smart until
recently! I hadn’t given her enough credit
or asked her to do tricks beyond the “sit” and “stay” realm of doggie
training. Well, after this particular walk
I’m pretty sure there’s a lot more she can do.
So Riley and I, we're taking our wet morning dog walk in the
woods, like usual. I'm just strolling
along, daydreaming, while Riley lags behind.
Suddenly she comes flying past me in that post-poop gallop, with the
extra bounce in her step and twinkle in her eye. So I turn around, pull out a poop bag, and
start talking, more to myself than to her, "Okay, where'd you poop?" and I
backtrack 20 or so yards, scanning the edge of the trail. "Where's the poop, pup?" I keep
mumbling but see nothing in the piles of leaves. She follows along, but stops in one spot and
waits, looking happy and proud. I walk
back to her and look where she is pointing, and doggone it - there was the
POOP! Still steamin' and warm. She's SO smart!!
Now, I’d never even thought to ask her to find her own mess
before. You bet I’ll be asking her
again. And there’s no telling what else
she can do, if we would just make the right request! (With, of course, the obvious limitations of
possessing no opposing thumbs or the ability to form words…)
Yep. My Riley is truly brilliant, if you ask me. Or her.
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