Most people think we train our pets. If you have one, you know, it is SOOO the reverse! Why else would my sister and brother-in-law jump in the car the minute the dog starts barking that it’s time for his daily car ride? Or freeze on said ride in 28° weather because Duke (the dog, not the husband) likes to hang his head out the window?
Oh, I don’t dispute that I have been trained as well. If you’ve ever slept under blankets with a cat nestled against you on one side and the dog wedged in on the other, you know what it’s like to be pinned to a cork board. And the silly part is you don’t just remove the push pins. That would be as heretical as removing the child’s or grandchild’s artwork from the refrigerator door!
Of course, there are important things we can learn from our pets. Here are just a few tips I’ve gathered that, surprisingly, apply to both work and life:
Canine observations
- No matter how fast you run or how high you jump, there are some squirrels you just won’t catch and some trees you cannot climb. (I guess being a size 8 will have to wait for my next life).
- There are tricks you should just never learn! Learn the trick and you’ll perform it forever. (Why I don’t clean popcorn poppers and never learned to start the lawn mower).
Come to think of it, there are quite a few things I was smart enough NOT to learn.
- Persistence pays. Jump on the table or counter enough times, and you will win your rightful perch. (One catveat: If they resort to water spray tactics, you must claim your perch only when they are not around).
- You belong anywhere you want to be, and no one can stop you!
- Don’t be afraid to speak up. Dinner, car rides, dog walks and treats come much faster when you make a ruckus. (Apply that to your own life).
- Understand your target audience. Identify who’s the soft touch for what you want (in canine speak, that’s treats and morsels from the table).
- Never underestimate the value of a good, warm coat.
Out on a Limb 
Patience from our cats.