I introduced you to Pepe, my 8-year-old chihuahua mix, in an earlier post as my cantankerous little guy. Affectionately, we call him Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde because he can be sweet, affectionate, calm, and loving in one moment and ferocious in the next often without apparent reason. When I'm home alone, I walk around singing to him (he cocks his head, wags his tail, and starts to jump up and down so I think he likes it), but my lyrics are bitterly truthful despite a jovial tune - think Disney song meets George Carlin lyrics (I can't, in good conscience, write the words onto the pages of these here internets).
Anyway, despite Pepe's lack of size (he's about 6.5 lbs), he is always undeterred from doing anything he wants - including playing tug with my boxer mix, Strummer. I keep telling my friends that I need to get it on video - those who have seen it have all doubled over in laughter. I will do my best to describe it: Strummer will usually be playing tug with our lab Ginny until Pepe decides he wants to play. At which point, he will go over to Ginny (who is 80 lbs and a little bit intimidated by Pepe) and tell her to go away with a subtle growl. Once she drops the rope, he picks up the end she had and starts to growl ferociously (I like to think he thinks he sounds like a lion, but you'd guess it was the world's tiniest yard edger if you didn't know any better).
At this point, the most amazing thing happens - Strummer, who at 65 lbs is fully capable of flipping his head and launching Pepe across the living room, just hangs on. Meanwhile, Pepe turns the fiesty onto full blast and is pulling as hard as can while growling as loud as he can. If Strummer pulls back, Pepe digs in his heels and is dragged across the floor. This goes on until Strummer gets bored and drops it and Pepe cocks his head, ears erect, seemingly asking, "Why did you stop?"
There have been times in my life where I have been Strummer and times when I have been Pepe. Times when I've had a perfect opportunity to take advantage of another person because I've had the upper hand. There have also been times when I was the little lady, struggling to prove myself, my worth, and my tenacity. Having the perspective of both - helps me to understand those I work with every day on daily basis and react to these situations effectively. As a result, I try not to take advantage of people and actually try to elevate people with positive feedback and encouragement. I also try to be self-aware so that I understand when I'm a Pepe and need to take the time to appreciate those who are patient with me when I'm learning and growing.
I obviously believe we have a lot to learn from our creatures. If you have any stories, please share them in your comments. Have a great day!
Showing posts with label Strummer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Strummer. Show all posts
Monday, February 27, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
A Brief History
I thought I'd take a moment to tell you about the mutts I currently own. Like with any good story, character development is crucial for a good understanding - so without further adieu (from largest to smallest):
Ginny (yes, my husband and I are Harry Potter nerds) is an 80lb chocolate lab. We adopted her last year when she was 7. At the time of adoption, she weighed 100+ lbs and was covered in scabs and skin growths due to food allergies. Despite the fact that she had to heave and it was a struggle to stand up - she loved to walk. She was exhausted easily and when she wasn't walking or eating, she slept. She didn't play or ask for attention, she just moped (we affectionately call her Eeyore to this day). But, in a matter of a few short months full of lots of walks and wheat-free food, she made a turn around even we didn't expect. She now jumps, hikes, and runs at full speed after ropes and tennis balls for hours on end.
Strummer (named for The Clash lead singer, Joe Strummer) is a svelte 3-year-old 65lb boxer mix. He may also be lab, pit, Rhodesian ridgeback, or who knows what - we adopted him last year at the same time we adopted Ginny. He is a happy-go-lucky and highly energetic dog. He loves to play chase and will pester any other dog by gently poking them with his nose until they get irritated and chase him off. The madder the other dog gets, the funnier he thinks it is. Strummer also likes to be held upside down like a baby. In terms of personality - he and I are very much a like. We are 'doers' or 'a-types' and the kind of creatures who prefer to ask forgiveness than permission for the sake of a good time. He is also a klutz - he runs into doors, people, and walls like he's a ball in a pinball game.
Karma (so we could say, "Good Karma" or "Bad bad Karma") is a 6-year-old chihuahua and dachshund mix. She is timid and weary of strangers, but once she opens up to you, you might as well be t-bone steak because she won't leave you alone. She is the demure 'belle' of the group who gently reminds you to pet her by sticking her nose under your hand and lifting it gently. She also loves to walk for the sake of walking and surprises me regularly by how far her short little legs can carry her.
Last but not least is Pepe, our 8-year-old chihuahua mix. Pepe and Karma we adopted from our vet's office - another elderly client of his brought them in after his wife passed away. Stricken with grief - he asked out vet to euthanize them to which our vet replied that he couldn't do that but would put them up for adoption and ensure they went to a new home together. It is a good thing - because not many things in this world understand Pepe, and Karma is one of them. Pepe is, well, cantankerous. We believe he is chihuahua and min-pin with a little twist of Tasmanian devil. I call him Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde because one moment he acts as if he wants to bite your face off and the next he is all snuggles. He also loves to play tug with Stummer (who is, quite literally, 10 times Pepe's size) - but the good natured Strummer makes him feel good by just hanging on to one end of the rope instead of sending him across the room.
So that's my crew. The only other animal worth mentioning is my husband, John. He has the biggest heart of anyone I know which can make discipline and boundaries tricky with so many cute faces. We're making it though!
Ginny (yes, my husband and I are Harry Potter nerds) is an 80lb chocolate lab. We adopted her last year when she was 7. At the time of adoption, she weighed 100+ lbs and was covered in scabs and skin growths due to food allergies. Despite the fact that she had to heave and it was a struggle to stand up - she loved to walk. She was exhausted easily and when she wasn't walking or eating, she slept. She didn't play or ask for attention, she just moped (we affectionately call her Eeyore to this day). But, in a matter of a few short months full of lots of walks and wheat-free food, she made a turn around even we didn't expect. She now jumps, hikes, and runs at full speed after ropes and tennis balls for hours on end.
Strummer (named for The Clash lead singer, Joe Strummer) is a svelte 3-year-old 65lb boxer mix. He may also be lab, pit, Rhodesian ridgeback, or who knows what - we adopted him last year at the same time we adopted Ginny. He is a happy-go-lucky and highly energetic dog. He loves to play chase and will pester any other dog by gently poking them with his nose until they get irritated and chase him off. The madder the other dog gets, the funnier he thinks it is. Strummer also likes to be held upside down like a baby. In terms of personality - he and I are very much a like. We are 'doers' or 'a-types' and the kind of creatures who prefer to ask forgiveness than permission for the sake of a good time. He is also a klutz - he runs into doors, people, and walls like he's a ball in a pinball game.
Karma (so we could say, "Good Karma" or "Bad bad Karma") is a 6-year-old chihuahua and dachshund mix. She is timid and weary of strangers, but once she opens up to you, you might as well be t-bone steak because she won't leave you alone. She is the demure 'belle' of the group who gently reminds you to pet her by sticking her nose under your hand and lifting it gently. She also loves to walk for the sake of walking and surprises me regularly by how far her short little legs can carry her.
Last but not least is Pepe, our 8-year-old chihuahua mix. Pepe and Karma we adopted from our vet's office - another elderly client of his brought them in after his wife passed away. Stricken with grief - he asked out vet to euthanize them to which our vet replied that he couldn't do that but would put them up for adoption and ensure they went to a new home together. It is a good thing - because not many things in this world understand Pepe, and Karma is one of them. Pepe is, well, cantankerous. We believe he is chihuahua and min-pin with a little twist of Tasmanian devil. I call him Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde because one moment he acts as if he wants to bite your face off and the next he is all snuggles. He also loves to play tug with Stummer (who is, quite literally, 10 times Pepe's size) - but the good natured Strummer makes him feel good by just hanging on to one end of the rope instead of sending him across the room.
So that's my crew. The only other animal worth mentioning is my husband, John. He has the biggest heart of anyone I know which can make discipline and boundaries tricky with so many cute faces. We're making it though!
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