It ceases to amaze me, as an independent person, I am constantly learning. As the renowned Robert Hunter wrote and Jerry Garcia sang, “Once in a while, you get shown the light, in the strangest of places, if you look at it right.” For me, the light continues to shine. Just this weekend, I had visitors over to my home. As soon as they walked in the door, Onyx (fun loving pup she is) greeted them by jumping like a kid on a pogo stick. To my suprise, they stood statuesque…
I must have had a perplexed look upon my face because the little girl went on to explain that she wouldn’t “say hi” to Onyx until she calmed down and sat nicely. After a few minutes passed, Onyx did calm down and sat nicely. “Whew,” I thought. That was the longest three minutes I’ve experienced in a long time. I must have held in my breath as I felt my chest exhale and my head clear. It makes perfect sense: don’t give her positive attention until she is acting in a manor that warrants it. Lesson learned.
I’d like to think that I am learning from each and every experience I encounter. However, when a lesson such as this jumps out in front of me, I have to be grateful for the lyrics that spread their tentacles through my thoughts reminding me that I am never too old to learn. Scarlet Begonias.
Wealth In Natural Solutions 
Comments on: "Lesson Learned" (10)
We do learn from everything. It’s a wise person who can take a step back, like you have done, to reflect on what something means so they can learn from it.
Welcome to our writing community.
I would have had a hard time “looking at that right”! Good for you 🙂
Good lesson, I’ve never thought of it before but you are right, it makes sense. I will have to remember this when I get a new pet.
Wow Jonesy… These dogs are always teaching us, reminding us, and humbling us. We were placed in their lives for a purpose and they were placed in ours for another. 🙂
My brother told me this only recently. He said, “Don’t look at her until she calms down,” referring to his over active dog. And it didn’t take long. Then a pleasant pet and she was satisfied. I have been training my dog to sit when someone comes to the door, but he is so cute, most visitors entice him to jump up for a pet. Sometimes it’s the visitors we have to train.
Sometimes the things we dont expect to teach us are the ones who teach us the most….
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
― Mahatma Gandhi
I’m glad you joined us and I’m looking forward to more Onyx stories! Thanks for slicing, Ruth
Our pets, like our human children, beat to their own drummers and react in ways we can never quite anticipate!
It seems like you are really enjoying your new friend, Onyx. And how great that you got a lesson from a young trainer. If you want to watch some amazing training, go over to http://www.explore.org. Click on the thumbnail picture of the retriever puppy at the bottom. It’s a livecam at a puppy breeding and training center. They train dogs for veterans. Amazing to watch what she gets six week old puppies to do!
This brought a huge smile to my face. I have two of my own jumping beans at home. I came to the same realization about their behavior after reading an article on discipline. I tried it for a couple of days, buts it’s just so hard not enjoying and participating in their uncontrollable excitement to see YOU walk through the door.