Part whippet, part beagle, and who knows what else, Farley (age 4) has the most beautiful brindle patterning I've ever seen. She is my husband, Mark's, dog and could be the Poster Pet for "Most Open-Hearted Dog." Farley must have had Yeats' phrase, "There are no strangers here, only friends you haven't yet met," whispered into her floppy ears at the moment of birth. She loves "cookies" and everyone.
Is this due to a perfect puppyhood? Not likely. Farley was adopted from an animal shelter, so the first six months of life were rather rocky for her. Until I married her "Daddy" last August, and brought my two dogs, Tyler (Pekingese) and Jackie (Chihuahua) into her home, she'd not lived with other dogs. Still, she's friendly with every dog on our block of frequent dog walkers, and greets everyone she meets with unbridled enthusiasm.
She's a smart dog – not all dogs are, of course. When she casts a wary sideways glance at human or canine, it's not in skepticism but analysis. Once she's categorized things into her mental file drawer and committed scent, behavior, voice, and appearance to memory – or so I imagine – she's ready for further attention. Or, if the subject is otherwise preoccupied, a nap.
Being so friendly can be tiring
Life is simple for Farley, but she is far from a simpleton. Somehow she's learned the secret to open heartedness or, more likely, it is in her very nature and has been reinforced by the consistent loving attention of Mark over the last four years.
In my work as a freelance editor, many self-help books have crossed my desk. So, to wrap up today, let's see what the Table of Contents in Farley's self-help book might contain:
Is this due to a perfect puppyhood? Not likely. Farley was adopted from an animal shelter, so the first six months of life were rather rocky for her. Until I married her "Daddy" last August, and brought my two dogs, Tyler (Pekingese) and Jackie (Chihuahua) into her home, she'd not lived with other dogs. Still, she's friendly with every dog on our block of frequent dog walkers, and greets everyone she meets with unbridled enthusiasm.
She's a smart dog – not all dogs are, of course. When she casts a wary sideways glance at human or canine, it's not in skepticism but analysis. Once she's categorized things into her mental file drawer and committed scent, behavior, voice, and appearance to memory – or so I imagine – she's ready for further attention. Or, if the subject is otherwise preoccupied, a nap.
Being so friendly can be tiring
Life is simple for Farley, but she is far from a simpleton. Somehow she's learned the secret to open heartedness or, more likely, it is in her very nature and has been reinforced by the consistent loving attention of Mark over the last four years.
In my work as a freelance editor, many self-help books have crossed my desk. So, to wrap up today, let's see what the Table of Contents in Farley's self-help book might contain:
- Chapter 1: Everyone is my friend. If they are not, I've forgotten it.
- Chapter 2: Today is the most important day of my life and it is going to be great!
- Chapter 3: I'm happy with the toys and food I've got.
- Chapter 4: My stepsister is a b_ _ ch, but it's not about me.
- Chapter 5: Walking outdoors is good for me.
- Chapter 6: I've never actually caught a squirrel, but I keep the dream alive.
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