A Helping Paw

Hey All.

Living here in Blogville it is very hard for me to understand what humans do to each other out there in the big world.  I am so saddened by the recent events in France, that is where my brother EASY lives.  My heart hurts for him and for all those affected by those mean, crazy people.  See us dogs are not like that.  Sure we may disagree about stuff.  Like I just can't see how Bert loves water so much, does not make since to me.  And he does not understand why I like climbing trees like a cat.  But that's OK.  But when one of us hurts we are there for each other.  We stand together and try to help each other.  Know what I mean.  Let me give you a recent example.  Yesterday Bert invited me to come to a therapy dog training session.  I'm not a therapy dog, but my friend Bert thought I might like it.  So I said "sure, lets see what this therapy stuff is about and what it takes to be a therapy dog."

There I am with all my therapy dog friends.  They are an impressive group.  They let me join right in with them practicing sit/stays, walk byes, weaving in and out of the dogs and handlers and all sorts of stuff.  They sure do have to work hard at being a good therapy dog.  Bert told me that was just some of the stuff they have to do perfect every time. I tip my ear to each and everyone of them.  After we were done training it was time for play.

Unfortunately for my friend Bert he had to put his cone back on after training.  See Bert has an ouchy on his hip that he needs to leave alone.  It's very sad. 

Momma said all we needed to do is add a giant olive and Bert would be a Golden Martini.  hehehhe.

While Bert just sat there I made a new friend.  This is Atikas.

Oh boy did we have fun.

We ran around in circles over and over and over again.  He is very fast.  He is also the latest therapy dog in the group.

I wanted him to feel welcome, so I played with him a lot.  I remember what it's like to be the new kid on the block.  Ya know, wondering if anyone will like you.  We all like Atikas.

Then I noticed my friend Bert.  Oh he was one sad looking pup with that cone on his head.

 

There he was like an Ostrich with his head stuck in the sand.

So I found a ball and took it to him.  But he could not see I had a ball.  So my momma had to tell me that if she had the ball she could hold it up so Bert could see it.  But Bert wanted to do more than see the ball, he wanted to chase the ball.  Have you ever tried to chase a ball with a big cone on your head?  It is not a pretty sight.  Oh sad sad broken hearted Bert.  But I had a plan to help my pal Bert after everyone left.

I grabbed my Frisbee and gave it to him.  But still it was so hard for him to play with it with that cone of shame.

So I decided to take matters into my own paws and help my pal out.

I grab ahold of the cone that was causing my friend so much grief and gave it a pull.

 

I almost got it.  Bert was so happy I was trying to free him.  "Come on Buddy give it one more try!"

"OK Bert, if I pull and you pull then I think we can do this together.  PULLLLLLLLL!"

Wooooooooo Hooooooooooo I got it off!  Oh Bert was so happy.  Sure I could have just jumped in the car and headed home to play with all my cool stuff and romp in my yard.  But my friend was in need.  I just had to help.  That's what we do for one another, we help, we care, we love, we sacrifice.  When one hurts we help however we can.  When one feels joy we rejoice with them.  That's the way it should be.  Are you listening world?  And I have to say I have seen and heard some beautiful things that have come out of this horrific tragedy in Paris.  People coming together, from around the world even, to care for one another, and support one another, to strengthen one another.  That gives me hope. 

(side note: momma says I must have an inner elephant within me if my shadow is any indicator.)

My hope is that the world will one day be like the Pit Bull and the Golden sitting together with the device of shame laying on the ground replaced with the Frisbee of friendship.

Blessings,
Buddy