Bite me .....

     It all starts with a simple backache.  Sometimes
the only relief is to lay on the floor and just relax.
I was having one of those moments the other night
when my two smaller dogs decided to join me. One
curled up at my knees while the younger one decided
that my chest would be more comfortable.  The younger
one (although almost six)  is in constant need of petting
or scratching while his mother is content to just lay near.
  True to my nature I simply can not let him rest peacefully
so I started to antagonize him by grabbing his paws and
nose, then an ear. anything to get him worked  up a bit.
But try as I may, although he would play a bit, he never
went into a full fledged romping play fest with me.  I
remember when they were born I spent a lot of time  on
the floor playing with the five of them. all climbing,
licking with that garlic breath that puppies have and
chewing on everything they could get hold of.  I spent
a lot of time in front of the mirror back then patching holes
in my ears, nose, fingers and anywhere else their little
razor sharp puppy teeth would penetrate.  And I loved every
moment of it !  
      But , they grow up.  We teach them manners, we train
them not to jump on people, we teach them to sit, beg,
not to bite and so on until they are 'proper' little pets.
Shame on us.  I'm not saying that we should let our pets
do as they please and rule the roost.  I'm just saying they
need to let go a little now and then.  Two dogs in my life
that were like that were a Brittany Spaniel and most recently
a Yorkie.   The Britt (Sir Freckles) was the best behaved
dog you could ever want both in the woods hunting birds
or in the house  lounging by the fireplace.  But let me walk
into the living room and put on the thick welding gloves
by the fireplace and It was ON !  He knew it was playtime.
We would look like a couple pit bulls at Michael Vicks
pool party for about fifteen minuets.  Then I would take
off the gloves and give him a couple pats on the head and
he'd go back and lay down and continue his nap.  The Yorkie
on the other hand was  more of an attack dog.  He had no idea
how small he was .  Our favorite game was to lay down with
a blanket and move your hand slowly under the blanket. Just
be ready when you do because he was coming and coming fast.
Teeth fairing and growling intensely.  However,  he knew just
how hard to bite and never ever hurt me but ohh how I miss
those sessions.
  I think the same thing happens with people.  As we grow older
we become 'proper'.  Relationships become more comfortable
and we have a tendency to nap by the fireplace a great deal more.
And that's not a bad thing except I think every now and then we
need to put the gloves on.  Maybe we need to not worry about
what the world thinks is proper and just have fun.  I mean
'hey' the world already knows I'm crazy, why not just let them know
just how crazy..lol  It's either that or go find me a litter of puppies
with a like minded owner that's willing to let me play for a while !

      R.I.P. Freckles & Buster