Monday, April 16, 2012

From suicidal to homicidal?

While I was on the phone with my mother yesterday I overheard my husband tell Marley not to move. His exact words - in a low, calming voice were, "Marley, don't move, relax. Ugh you are such a crazy dog." My ears immediately perked up as I asked  him what was going on. Still in a calm, soothing voice, he tells my that the dog has gotten a hold of a steak knife, and she has it in her mouth... Seriously? How did she get a hold of a freaking steak knife?

I tell my mom that I'll have to call her back, because Marley is in a stand off with Eric and she has a knife in her mouth and could lunge at him at any moment. She couldn't help but laugh at this hilarious, but dangerous  situation. As I left the home office, Marley booked it down the stairs and into the living room. I tried to cut her off by using the kitchen entrance, but she ran past me. Eric, in a now annoyed voice, asked me why I didn't do a better job at blocking her... um, hello, have you forgotten the important fact that she has a knife and I don't want to get cut and have to explain to a doctor how I was injured in a knife fight with my 1 year old labradoodle.

Within seconds, however, I got her to drop her weapon by using the highly-persuasive negotiating method of bribery by pupperoni. It's her kryptonite, and she immediately dropped the knife without incident. Luckily no one, including Marley, was hurt, but I'm still baffled as to how she got the knife from the drawer.

Something tells me Canine Academy is going to regret offering pet owners the option of repeating  obedience classes for free. Marley certainly has not mastered any of the commands that we have been working on - such as come when called, drop it, or leave it. She's a sweet dog, but I seriously think she could benefit from seeing a psychologist. She's literally nuts!

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Changes to be Made

Ever look back at life and think of ways to improve? I've been doing some considerable self reflection in the past few months and realized that I can definitely improve the way I choose to lead my life.

For instance, somethings are better left unsaid. I have learned the hard way that I need to be careful of what I say in my attempts to be an open and honest person. Sometimes, I may have a tendency to reveal my feelings when maybe it'd be better if I kept my thoughts to my self. Life change number 1... take a step back and think before I speak.

Life change number 2. I don't know everything, so I need to make a better attempt to learn something new every day. Rather than nodding and keeping my questions to myself, I need to ask the right questions so that I can learn the necessary information, rather than having to go back and look it up later. No one will think I'm ill-prepared if I ask a pertinent question. In fact, there may be someone else in the crowd who's wondering the same thing. 

Finally, I need to realize that I can not control everything. Sometimes, you just have to leave things to fate. I need to enjoy my life as it is today, and welcome the changes of tomorrow.

There are always ways to self improve, and that's what I intend to do. I'll strive to be a better wife, sister, daughter, aunt, friend and professional. At the end of the day, I need to reflect and be proud of who I am and who I intend to be now and in the future.