We have two dogs here at the ranch.
One, Joey, is a Great Pyrenees/Lab/something (we think hound of some sort) mix. Very, very, VERY laid back and all about the food. (I blogged about him some months ago in Joey Doesn't Share Food!)
J.D., on the other hand, our Heeler, is all about Kick the BALL!!!!!! If there's any possibility that we might kick his partially deflated basketball, that's all he's interested in. Food? Not interested. Cat running past under his nose? Couldn't care less.
If anyone goes outside, J.D. immediately grabs The Ball, or goes and finds The Ball and grabs it, and brings it and sets it in front of us, quivering in anticipation. If we kick the ball, he runs after it so fast that he frequently runs right over it, grabs it, runs in a big circle, then brings it back. "Again! Kick it again!" If we ignore him and walk past him, he'll pick up the ball and bring it along and take the first opportunity to set it down in front of our feet in the direction we're walking. If we continue walking, rinse and repeat, until we give in and kick the ball.
If we're sitting, or digging a hole, or filling the feed buckets to feed the horses and cows, he'll set the ball down right by our feet. If we do not acknowledge said ball, he will shriek. (Have you ever heard a Heeler shriek? No? Lucky you!) One day, when I ignored the ball until I couldn't stand the shrieking any longer, then kicked it a distance away so I could get the buckets filled, I turned away and when I turned back to fill a feed bucket, he had brought the ball and set it IN the bucket so that there was no way I could possibly miss that it was Time To Kick The Ball!
Yesterday, J.D. topped even himself. I had fed the animals, I had Kicked The Ball all along the way (easier than tripping over it as he'll put it down Right in front of my feet every time), and I went to peel some hay off the round bale for the cows. I took one peel, then turned back to get another, only to be met with hopeful Heeler eyes - at my eye level. Yep, J.D., asking me, in a new and different way I could not ignore, to KICK THE BALL!!!!!!!
He's a living lesson in focus and persistence. We could all take a page out of J.D.'s book - set a goal and go for it. Don't let a No get you down; just keep going until someone, somewhere, sometime, Kicks The Ball!
Yes, he is! Always, and he never gives up. There's always another opportunity to get someone to Kick The Ball! and he's going to keep on trying until he gets it.
Tricia,
It's amazing what animals can teach us. It seems J.D. will never give up and we should follow his lead. Keep at it and you will succeed.
Todd, Gail, Brigetta, life out here is definitely fun - and educational and instructive! I've learned many good life lessons just hagning out with the critters.