From Upside Down to Assertive

A dog teaches us so much about what we should be like. On a daily basis, Tynley awakens with a smile and positivity; she communicates to me that she’s eager, joyful, and ready for the day. The tip tap of her nails hitting the ground running each day makes me aware that she knows what she wants to do and she can’t wait to get started. She wants to make sure of two things: that I know she loves me and that she is ready to get moving together. So, her actions share her sentiments: “Thank you for the pats and pets and rubs and scratches and kisses! Let’s get coffee and breakfast going! The leash is over there for our walk! So much wonder awaits us!” Her bright disposition and radiant assertiveness are absolutely refreshing.

Beaming resoluteness intact, you can also be sure that submissive behavior will show up after any dog has found mischief she just couldn’t stop herself from getting into because it seemed like so much fun at the time. Maybe you’re familiar with “the look” our canine friends have mastered. They’re reeeallly sorry they licked every corner of that aluminum foil and then tore it into the tiniest pieces you’ve ever seen that are now spread across the floor, forming a reflective trail you get to follow as you pick up the minuscule remnants. They can’t help that it seemed like the ball would taste so good since it was so much fun to play with and that now its shredded rubber interior and outer covering have a slobbery, slippery coating that adds a bit of sheen to the neon green. They’re certainly regretful about that prickly pine cone that made its way indoors and that after being formed into bite-sized ovals and dropped from the mouth onto the now-clean floor leaves that one pin-like, blood-inducing spike as a surprise for later.

Tyn has an affinity for playing it cool with a plan in her mind as I blow a kiss when I leave the house for brief human errands. She waits to make sure I haven’t forgotten anything that could cause my prompt return and then eventually pops up to explore. “What’s on the counter? Anything delicious? How about on these side tables? Oooh, that smells interesting. Hmmm. Why did she put that way up high on the shelf? I’ll never be able to reach it there. What was she thinking? Surely she left something out after she scanned the entire house to do that thing she calls ‘dog-proofing’ before leaving!” Tyn has welcomed me home to everything from scented soap to Thanksgiving turkey bones having been relished as tasty snacks. She’s skillful at her craft. You’d better believe that when I walk back through the door to find the vestiges of such prizes, she works her magic on me. She rolls onto her back to lie completely upside down and sticks her legs up into the air just so, slightly bending them at the wrist so that the paws dangle a bit. She becomes purely submissive while her deep-brown puppy dog eyes blink heavily as a result of her own disbelief in the idea that she could get so carried away with herself. The sad blinks become more and more distinguishable until you relieve her guilt by saying the freeing words, “It’s okay!” and showing her with your body language that you forgive her. She’s then ready to get back to that day and the things she knows she wants to do.

When dogs are not feeling sooo, sooo sorry about doing that thing they didn’t mean to do, they may still be meekly obedient, which we love about them, but all other signs of submissive behavior are absent. They know exactly who they are, allowing their innate knowledge to guide them, learning more along the way, being compassionate in the process, and sniffing out the path they want to take. We should model our behavior after theirs: be mild in manner while also seeking out our own path using our gut as backing, not letting anything stand in our way. After the squirrel that scurries into our sight line totally distracts us, we should get back to the goal. We need to yell, “Squirrel!” and move forward.

Each of us is unique, our genetics, experiences, and knowledge forming a specific skill set as we walk through the miles of life. We have so much to give once we understand what that skill set is. A dog has an unadulterated and loving heart to give, whether licking a lingering workout sock or allowing her nose to lead the way to her goal. Seek what you have to give. Find it, know it, and be it.