Message 16: You Reap What you Sow

When Biscuit goes to a dog park with dirt instead of grass or gravel, nothing gives him quite as much joy as rolling in that dirt. He especially likes to rub his head in it, even though he gets dirt in his eyes. He rolls and rolls until my white dog is brownish-gray.

What Biscuit has failed to realize is that the bath he gets when he gets home is a direct result of his rolling in dirt. Sure, we’re at the dog park so I give him the freedom to do what he wants. But ultimately, I have to clean up his mess for him. And he does not like that part of the deal.

In life, we make choices. Sometimes, our choices make us a little dirty. And after we’ve had our “fun,” we find out the consequences. And that process never seems to be worth getting dirty in the first place.

It's great to have choices. But just remember with the choices that you make, that bath time might be waiting. Rolling in the dirt may just not worth it. In the end, the fun fades away and we’re left drenched in a tub.

When have you regretted a choice you made?

Message 15: Don't Give Up

Biscuit loves mornings. Absolutely adores them. I think for him, it’s an exciting new day to play and chew and run around. 

So when it's time to get up, despite my desire to hit snooze, Biscuit is reared up and ready to go. Since his day needs to start with a business trip outside and a good breakfast, he needs me to be just as eager to jump out of bed. But of course, I’m not.

So my day typically starts off with a lot of face and hand licking, some pawing at my face, nudging at my head or digging on my head…pretty much anything a dog can do to get someone’s attention.

The thing is, my desire to sleep in is pretty strong. (Though it has gotten less so thanks to Biscuit's persistence!) So Biscuit has to keep trying and trying until I finally give in and get up. But he always wins. I always give up before him. Why? Because that dude is persistent. He wants his potty and breakfast, and he won’t stop until he gets it.

I think of myself as someone with a lot of drive. But I still have a lot to learn from Biscuit's persistence!