Going to the Dogs

When I was in college, I remember that my best friend's brother regularly borrowed a friend's puppy when he went walking on the beach...because the dog was a "chick magnet" (his words). This was how he met gals whom he often wound up dating. I don't remember what happened when the gals found out he didn't really have a dog; he didn't share that fraudulent part of his life with his sister, I guess. I don't remember him having any particularly long-term relationships, either. Could have had something to do with beginning the relationship with deceit (DOH). When you're 20 something, those kinds of things don't occur to you, though.

Now, I've noticed I'm experiencing somewhat of this same phenomenon, though not being a 20 something Southern California surfer dude, I don't attract "chicks" when I have the dogs in tow. I do, however, attract any and all youngsters. Sometimes I feel like the Pied Piper, with no complaints, mind you. It's really very fun. 

The kids gravitate toward our doggies because they are a novelty. Dogs that are pets in this culture are not necessarily treated with the exalted family status that our two cherubs enjoy. This status is granted simply because we don't have children, so these are our little ones. Now, make no mistake, we don't dress them up, nor are they allowed to sleep on the bed, or eat off of our plates (really, I have seen this often with folks; it causes confusion for the dogs). We've trained our dogs to come when called and follow basic commands. And they do (well, almost always). They also play ball with gusto and Frisbee with the gleeful abandon.

So, naturally, the kids want to play too. The other day I went for a walk around the lagoon and ran into four 12 year olds who entertained my Border Collies for over an hour. Seriously, I can't leave the house without the two neighbor boys joining on our walk. Especially on the beach.  I notice Husband has met most of these kids as well. How do I know this? The other day the neighbor boys were playing with the dogs and giving the exact commands to sit and wait for the ball to be thrown. Then the boys gave the "free dog" command. I asked Husband if he'd taught those commands to the boys. The answer is "no". But the boys had watched and listened and consequently learned what to do.  And the dogs respond.

So I ask myself, why aren't we using these EXACT same strategies in our classrooms? It was so easy to teach these boys. First, because it was something they enjoyed and second because no one stood in front of them telling them how to do it.

I learned a lot today from watching them.