I’m not a huge dog fan. You have to feed them, let them out, pick up their poop, listen to them howl or bark at things that pose no danger, and then watch them sit silently when an actual threat appears. They are like babies that never grow up. So, not a huge fan.
Until Dobby came along nine years ago.
He is all the things listed above. But somehow, the little guy wiggled his way into my heart. I think because he is an indefatigable example of the Three Crowns.
Positive Attitude. His mantra seems to be “What a day! What a day! What a day!” Even though his entire day consists of eating twice, sleeping, and pooping in the yard. “What a day! What a day! What a day! I wonder what’s going to happen next???”
Full Effort. “I got this! I got this! I got this!” Even when it is apparent, he doesn’t.
And Good Sportsmanship. “How are you? How are you? How are you? I believe in you! I believe in you! I believe in you!” Even when I’m cranky and distracted.
He can be irritating. You can want him to go away sometimes. But he is persistent and will break you down. “What a day! I got this! How are you? I believe in you!”
Which is why you must know that if one never gives up, there is always a chance.
This is about a 2 nd Crown triumph I never saw coming that renewed my faith again in the Three Crowns.
One thing, in all his nine years, Dobby has never been able to figure out, is how to get up on the bed the first try. For nine years, he has thrown himself at our bed every morning, miscalculating the height. He takes running leaps. Crash. Standing long jump. Crash. Look sideways and pretend the bed will somehow lower itself if he doesn’t look. Crash. It takes him anywhere from two to five times of crashing, but he never, ever, ever gives up. And he does not want help.
Every time he crashes he looks surprised, like, “How did that happen???” Like it’s the very first time.
I’ve tried to help him, train him, coach him, cheer him on, all to no avail. But he never gives up.
Then a funny thing happened this fall. He realized if he got a running start from the living room there is a straight shot to our bed. I saw his tiny brain calculating this Evel Knievel daredevil move, and I saw the moment he decided to go for it. I thought, oh, this is not going to end well.
And then, he took off running from the far end of the living room for the bed, gained speed, reached the bedroom rug where he got traction, leaped for the bed, flew through the air over the dozens of cars below, and landed safely on the bed top. He looked shocked. He turned and looked at me like, “Seriously, how did that happen???” And I looked at him and said, “You’re asking the wrong guy.”
He had done it. After NINE YEARS of failure.
The next day he did it again. And the next. And the next. Seven days in a row.
This dog finally has figured out how to get up on the bed without suffering a concussion.
And he continues his daily mantra. “What a day! I got this! How are you? I believe in you!” And so, I believe back.
This Thanksgiving, never give up, people. Do not give up on those you love. Do not give up on obstacles in your way. Do not give up on your enemies’ potential to change. Do not give up on your own potential to change. Do not give up when you’re down 6-0 5-0 40-Love. You never know when you’re going to land on the bed.
Just ask Dobby.
Here’s hoping you have soft landings, too. Happy Thanksgiving, all, from TLC.
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