Things we can learn from dogs

Posted by  Andrew Rixon —August 31, 2006
Filed in Fun

Dogs at WorkAbout two weeks ago my wife entered and won a Toastmasters humorous speech competition. Her winning speech was “searching for a soulmate”. It was about looking for a dog (thankfully not a new husband).

 I’ve noticed how much people warm to dogs. Okay I might be a dog person, rather than a cat person, but if you have a dog and go for a walk in a neighbourhood I’ll guarantee you will have a lot more opportunities to meet people than if you just walk alone. People who take cats for walks are just weird. But like I said, I’m a dog person. Anyway it’s got me thinking about a previous post Are organisations losing their humanity? And maybe there is something we can learn from dogs. Something that might help. Here’s a list I came across, author unknown.

  • 1. Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joy ride.
  • 2. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
  • 3. When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
  • 4. When it’s in your best interest, practice obedience.
  • 5. Let others know when they’ve invaded your territory.
  • 6. Take naps and stretch before rising.
  • 7. Run, romp, and play daily.
  • 8. Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.
  • 9. Be loyal.
  • 10. If what you want lies burried, dig until you find it.
  • 11. When someone is having a bad day, be silent. Sit close by and nuzzle them gently.
  • 12. Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
  • 13. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
  • 14. When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
  • 15. No matter how often you’re scolded, don’t buy into the guilt thing and pout…. run right back and make friends
  • 16. Delight in the simple joys of a long walk.

Funnily enough, about 3 weeks ago I joined a library which still has in its constitution the acceptance of dogs in the library! I wonder how organisations might be different if we could take our pets to work? Hmmm. Maybe my shaggy bunny tendencies are starting to shine through a little toooo much now. Things we can learn from dogs

About  Andrew Rixon

Comments

  1. A tremendous list of Doggy-do’s but we should not fail to mention the many doggy-don’ts. Eg: Avoid urinating on electric fences, Don’t greet your office companions in the manner that dogs greet other dogs and save cleaning for the privacy of the bathroom. Who’s that behind you on the PC?

  2. Larry Yates says:

    Oh Gee, that “learn from dogs” thing always gets to me.
    I have my own version 😉
    They’d teach us to:
    1. Stick our noses where the sun don’t shine (or “the front” if that’s handier) as a fun way of saying “hello” to new aquaintances.
    2. Look at dead fish and even aged road kill as opportunities to take on an interesting aroma to get our friends wondering where we’ve been.
    3. Show off our private parts to all who’ll notice and even give them an enthusiastic lick to direct their gaze if they don’t “get it” right away.
    4. Do a quick warm-up to even complete strangers by demonstrating our completely sincere affection for their legs with our up close hug and pelvic grind.
    5. Totally look at that discarded food in the garbage in a more positive light. It’s not really waste if it doesn’t make it to the truck!
    6. Think of babies as points. The one who dies with the most babies by the most females, wins!
    7. Think of home delivered products as the evil they really are. Anyone who delivers …anything (especially in uniform), deserves to be full-out threatened, and given a good chomp to drive the point home if they don’t get the idea.
    -Larry J.S. Yates
    Ha! :-))

  3. Larry Yates says:

    Oh Gee, that “learn from dogs” thing always gets to me.
    I have my own version 😉
    They’d teach us to:
    1. Stick our noses where the sun don’t shine (or “the front” if that’s handier) as a fun way of saying “hello” to new aquaintances.
    2. Look at dead fish and even aged road kill as opportunities to take on an interesting aroma to get our friends wondering where we’ve been.
    3. Show off our private parts to all who’ll notice and even give them an enthusiastic lick to direct their gaze if they don’t “get it” right away.
    4. Do a quick warm-up to even complete strangers by demonstrating our completely sincere affection for their legs with our up close hug and pelvic grind.
    5. Totally look at that discarded food in the garbage in a more positive light. It’s not really waste if it doesn’t make it to the truck!
    6. Think of babies as points. The one who dies with the most babies by the most females, wins!
    7. Think of home delivered products as the evil they really are. Anyone who delivers …anything (especially in uniform), deserves to be full-out threatened, and given a good chomp to drive the point home if they don’t get the idea.
    -Larry J.S. Yates
    Ha! :-))

  4. John says:

    Dogs pick up bad habits from their peers and masters. What does that say for Larry?

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