Cots Keep Them Cool!

I'm really not ready for this: 90s (F) and high humidity for the next four days. It's only May 31st. And we don't have central air. Yuk.

The canine kids don't like it either, although (as you read in the last post) they do love their slice of the good life on the deck (kiddie pool, raised cots, plenty of water, and a shade umbrella).

Which raises the question, where in the world did I find cots for the Labs so inexpensively?

Answer: Walmart - end of season clearance rack two years ago. They were normally $22.00 and I got them $11 each (50% off). That's a price we could afford. Yee haw!

Alas, I checked our local store and the Walmart web site; they don't carry these cots anymore. I also checked lots of other places on line, and to get anything similar to what I found so inexpensively for our gang would cost $80 or more per cot (slightly ridiculous in my book, particularly if you can find something that's well-made, safe, and functional for less).

Ahhh...and I did. I found our exact cots (or nearly) at Plow and Hearth (we have the "large" size shown) for $24.95 full price. That's not bad, considering Walmart's cost for these a couple of seasons ago. Plow and Hearth also offers a medium size for $19.95 and a small size for $17.95.

From what I can tell in the pictures at Plow and Hearth, this is the cot (or "raised pet bed") we use. They look identical.

Our cots have held up well (look nearly brand new after two years of hard use), are sturdy and stable (coated steel frames), have hammocks made of nylon mesh which dry quickly and allow for plenty of air circulation (cools the dogs), and are stackable (important for storage if you have more than one). They can also be easily assembled and disassembled for travel or camping and such.

We love our cots -- all of us: canines and humans alike. They're lightweight to carry, easy to hose down, and can take a beating (we use ours year round -- indoors, too). They also provide an elevated place for the dogs to lie down where they're off the ground and can have air circulating around them.

So, if you're looking for a reasonably priced raised dog bed (or cot, as we call them), check these out at Plow and Hearth. No, they're not $11, but $24.95 isn't bad.

And who knows? Maybe they'll go on sale later in the season.

'Til next time,
Joan

Hot, Happy Labs

• One beach umbrella and a filled, plastic, kiddie pool = $40.00
  
• Two canine hammocks = $22.00 (on sale)
  
• Three bowls brimming with cool water and ice cubes ($6.00)
  
• Four frolicking Labrador retrievers ...

• ... = priceless!

(not to mention one, big, sloppy, wiggling, delightful mess)!

'Til next time,
Joan

Differences in Dealing with Heat

It's funny how we're all different. Even our Labs.

Take summer heat, for example. After a delightfully cool spring, it's starting to feel like summer here in SE Pennsylvania. We're hitting temps in the 80s most every day now, coupled with full sun and little cloud cover. It's glorious, but feels hot compared to our below-average-temperature spring.

Each of the dogs is responding to our recent heat wave differently.

Baxter curls up on the couch or stretches out on the brick floor and looks at me as if to say, "What? Go outside? You've got to be kidding!" Baxter just avoids heat all together.

Ridge will brave the heat, but searches out cool places in the shade where he can find reprieve. Smart boy.


Then there are Elsie and Kenya, both of whom seem to love the heat.

Elsie soaks it up, lying in the sun every chance she gets, even on the hottest days of the year. She can nap in (and through) blazing temperatures with just a hint of panting. It doesn't seem to stress her at all.

Kenya plows through life oblivious to its challenges. Who cares about heat? It's just another opportunity to frolic.

And when the girls need cold-water-refreshment, Elsie gently tastes and sips what she needs.

Kenya plunges right in, soaking her face and everything near her in the process.

I've never understood "beach" people: the ones who thrive on heat, humidity, salt water, and icky sticky sand. I've also never understood people who thrive in the "heat" of life--you know the kind, those rare individuals who soak up and blossom during times of stress.

I'm more like Baxter. Go out in the heat? Voluntarily? You've got to be kidding! Just let me curl up here on the couch and maybe it will all go away.

Sometimes it doesn't just go away, however, and I have to brave hotter-than-average circumstances. And when I do enter these heat-filled times, I tend to stay in the sun too long, get burned, and then need a good Kenya-like soaking to refresh my soul.

I wish I were more like Ridge (who opts for shady places, even though he's out in the summer weather) or Elsie (who sips of refreshment as she needs to, but still thrives in heat).

But, nooooooo...I have to be like Kenya and Baxter, my all-or-nothing kids.

I suppose there's something to be said for that, too, though.

Heck, if I'm going to get wet anyway, I may as well get soaked. Eh?

'Til next time,
Joan

It's SO Hard!

In my previous post, I observed how delighted our Labs seem when called upon to "work." They're eager and energetic and enthusiastic in the jobs they're called upon to perform.

And that's wonderful; it's part of what's so endearing about the breed.

But that enthusiasm has its down side. Sometimes they're so eager (thinking they know what's coming next), they miss commands or jump in too soon.

Remember those pictures I posted last time of how nicely the "kids" were sitting and waiting for Don ? Hehe...well, here's what I didn't show you:

Here's Ridge breaking his sit in anticipation of Don's command to retrieve (Don has not yet thrown the dummy or given Ridge the okay to run.):





He's just so eager, he can hardly contain himself. Just look at his haunches (if you saw this up close, you'd see his muscles twitching with excitement). Look at his intensity watching Don. He knows Don's command is coming; it's just so hard to wait for the right time.





Here's Elsie doing the same thing, only in her quiet, gentle way:




She, too, quivers in anticipation. Her enthusiasm and eagerness to please push her almost (and only almost) beyond her ability to hear Don's instruction.







And then there's the Kenya bean. She broke as soon as Don moved to throw the dummy:

Silly girl. She's eager, too, but her eagerness hasn't yet been tempered by maturity and training.

She just wants to run.





Our canine kids are sometimes so bent on doing what they think we're going to ask them to do, they fail to wait until we actually give the commands. And when they're this eager, they sometimes miss the commands all together. Then they get it wrong.

So what do we do with that kind of eagerness?

We value it and direct it, but never quash it. The solution to our Labs' early breaks is patience, time, and training. As Don works with them, they begin to hold their "sit," "stay," and "wait" positions better; they learn to wait for Don's directional commands so they know which way to run instead of running aimlessly.

As so it goes for our eager-to-meet-the-world adult kids. They sometimes "break" before they know what direction they're running. And our response to their eagerness to embrace adult life needs to be every bit as patient, well-timed, and guided as our response is to our Labs.

Youngest Male Child is leaving this week, at nineteen, for a summer job at Cedar Point in Ohio. He just completed his freshman year in college and is ready to fly. But his eagerness is tempered; he's not quite sure about being that far from home for three straight months. And that's okay. A little tempering is a good thing.

He'll be just fine (so I keep telling myself). He's sought our counsel and continues to do so; he's developed solid life skills (knows how to do laundry, maintain a bank account, deal with car repairs, etc...); he knows how to communicate in healthy, effective ways and can advocate for himself; he's got a good head on his shoulders; and he knows what's expected in most work environments (he has a terrific work ethic).

He also knows we're here for him to look back to for direction.

We've already given him all the "training" we can; he has a solid foundation on which he can build the rest of his unfolding life. Our job now is to be patient, to let him run, and be there to guide him.

And we are and will be.

So how come this is so much harder with human kids than with canines????

'Til next time,
Joan

Spring Training: What Joy to Work!

Well it's that time again -- that time when Don gets back into a regular training routine with the canine kids.

After just a reminder or two, Baxter, Elsie, and Ridge jumped right in and seemed to recall Don's commands and expectations. The knew exactly what to do and how to do, and they enjoyed it!


It's amazing to me how much they remember after taking the winter off (yes, we're lazy about training in the winter, especially since it's usually dark outside by the time DH gets home from work, leaving no time for daily training with him).


Elsie, of course is the calmest of the lot, and the most focused.

The little Kenya bean, however, (remember, at 8 months old, this is her first spring training) picked up on training commands very quickly.

Look how well she sits and stays for him:


And check out her enthusiasm on the way out to train with "Dad":


That's my girl, the Kenya-Jumping-Bean! :o)

You know, Labs love to work. Whether it's training or retrieving or mine-detecting (there's a great article about this in this month's Just Labs magazine) or doing police work or performing aid tasks for people--it doesn't matter what the work is--they plow into their work with gusto.

Maybe it's because they only do work for which they're designed.

I wonder how many humans can say the same. How many of us settle for joyless jobs that may pay our bills, but don't come close to being work for which we have a natural bent or aptitude? No wonder so many of us are miserable in our jobs.

I finally discovered the right job for me when I hit middle age, and it's made all the difference. I can jump into my work now with enthusiasm.

I'll admit it isn't quite the boundless, joy-filled enthusiasm Kenya and the gang demonstrate when it's time for them to work, but at least it's not tail-between-my-legs dread.

Maybe it was the freedom I felt entering my forties to no longer have to prove myself. Maybe it was realizing there's more to life than acquiring material things and an impressive resume. Maybe it was just weariness with doing a job I didn't like and felt unsatisfied in. I don't know what it was, but whatever it was, it finally gave me the liberty to pursue something I enjoyed for a living.

And I (and my loved ones) have been far better for it.

No, I don't make that much now freelance writing, but that's okay. We simply don't drive new cars, buy expensive toys, or splurge more often than we can afford. And we're content to stay in a moderate-sized home.

I'd much rather have fewer things and greet my work each day with joy and gratitude, than earn a big paycheck and live a miserable life.

Thanks, Lab kids, for the life lesson. I hope I continue to pay attention to your wisdom.

'Til next time,
Joan

Persistence

"Ohboyohboyohboy. Look, Mom! I have a bone!"

"Mom! Come on, Mom. Look! I have a bone!"

"No, really, LOOOOOK! I have a bone!"

"Dad...Mom won't look close enough. See I have a BONE!"

"Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad! LOOK!"

"Daaaa-aaaaad, Look closer!!!!"

"You gotta look even closer, Dad... here I'll show ya!"

Ahhhh... the Sweet Kenya bean. What a model of persistence she is.

I suppose I could learn something from her.

'Til next time,

Joan (who tends to give up on things WAY too easily).

More Signs of Spring

I know the weather's getting warmer when I can no longer sneak some ice from the ice dispenser without eight pleading eyes asking for ice cubes, too. (Yes, that's an ice cube in my hand below--well, actually four ice cubes: one in my right hand, three in my left.)



My poor, cold, ice-cube-holding hands tell me it really must be spring after all.

Labs: ya gotta luv 'em.

'Til next time,
Joan

It Must be Spring!

Ahhh....

The forsythia bushes are in full bloom:















The daffodils have blossomed:

The pussy-willow buds are long past seed:














My Grecian windflowers welcome the sun each morning:
















And Baxter has rediscovered the cushioned deck sofa:
















Yup, it must be springtime, after all. :o)


'Til next time,

Joan

The Need for Soft Mouths

One trait Labs are famous for (among many) is their soft retrieving mouths.

Oh, yes, we Lab owners know all-too-well how destructive those very same mouths can be, especially during the need-to-chew-everything-in-sight-years of puppydom. But when Labradors retrieve game, they return the catch softly to us, almost tenderly, so that no injury comes to the carcasses they carry.



Their releases at our "drop" commands are just as soft.


Apparently, Labs aren't the only mammal with soft mouths.

While hiking back on an in-and-out trail above Laurel Falls in Great Smoky Mountain National Park on our vacation two weeks ago, we found ourselves within twenty yards of a mother black bear and her brand new cub. The pair dallied about the base of an old growth tulip tree abutting our only path down the mountain. We couldn't go farther without posing a threat to the young family and, with the unpredictable nature and behavior of black bears in the wild, it wasn't a risk we wanted to take.

[FYI, dear hubby or I took all of the pictures you see in this post (zoomed, of course). You can see, Mamma Bear wasn't anyone to mess with.]

Mamma made herself at home, lounging beneath the tree or strolling a few yards up and down the trail when she felt inclined to do so (the cub always within a few feet of her; note cub hanging on her back leg in photo above), but otherwise napping, nursing, and giving the cub tree-climbing lessons.



We waited her out (the only thing we could do). And we watched the interplay between mother and offspring.

Fascinating.

Incredible.

Breathtaking.

The cub behaved like a toddler: tumbling here and there, testing his limits, showing no fear until he found himself stuck, became hungry, needed help, or couldn't see Mom.

The little tyke must've tried to climb that same tree at least five times in the two hours (yes, two hours) we waited for the bears to move far enough away from the trail for us to safely pass.

And every time, without fail, he'd get part way up the towering tree, freeze, and start screaming for Mamma Bear. I've never heard a bear cub scream before; it's incredibly like a blend of human infant howls and screeching birds of prey.

Ever the faithful nurturer, Mamma Bear would climb the tree, gently take the cub in her mouth, and carry her progeny in those powerful jaws tenderly down the trunk again.

Baby Bear couldn't have weighed more than seven or eight pounds (if that); Mamma Bear had to top 300 pounds. But watching her nudge and prod Baby Bear off that tree and into her mouth, you would've thought she was handling hand-blown glass.

She, of necessity, used a soft mouth to retrieve her cub.

A Lab's soft mouth is essential for safely and cleanly retrieving game.

I suspect we human mammals, too, face circumstances necessitating soft mouths, particularly when our target, like a baby bear or downed fowl, is fragile or easily broken.

• Perhaps we want to reach a wayward child
• Maybe we're "rescuing" a crisis-entrenched friend.
• Maybe the target of our soft retrieve is fellow-worker or peer who finds himself lost or in trouble.
• It could even be that we need to reach ourselves--talking ourselves through issues or our responses to things.

Whatever our targets, though there is a time for tough love and strong accountability, even the toughest of us could afford to be soft-mouthed now and then.

It may be the only approach that works without injury.

'Til next time,

Joan

Tagged (and my tags) for The Thinking Blogger Award

Wow!

I'm finally catching up on my blogging after being away, and I just discovered that Laura, Willow, and Stella over at Dog's Eye View (one of my favorite working Lab sites) have tagged us here at LabTails for a Thinking Blogger Award.


Double Wow! I feel privileged.

The Thinking Blogger Award seems to be an effective way to get the word out about blogs that make us think. I'm tickled that Laura has read something here that prompted her to reflect or ponder or whatever it is that made her consider LabTails when selecting her candidates for the award.

And you can only receive the award if someone else tags you (there's no self-promotion with this recognition!).

So here are my top five tags for the Thinking Blogger Award. Though I read, appreciate, and enjoy many dog blogs, only one of the following is specifically dog- or Lab-related. It seems most of the dog blogs I read are more diary-like or informational, but not intended necessarily to be thought-provoking, philosophical, or inspirational (except Dog's Eye View, of course, which I can't tag because she tagged me).

This is my "Five Blogs that Make Me Think" list. The only dog-related blog on this list is Karen Shanley's (#3 on my list):

1. The Hero's Journey (formerly known as LostinScotland): Honest, very well written, poignant, with fabulous photography, this blog is written by a fabulous writer with tender insight and thought-provoking observations. I hope you enjoy her as much as I have (and do).

2. Sacred Journey (by foolishsage): Though Mark (this blog's author) doesn't know I read him regularly, I find his posts to be real and honest, yet faith-based, and written from a point-of-view dear to my heart. My husband graduated over twenty years ago from Westminster Theological Seminary, where this blogger is currently a student, and it's refreshing to see a WTS student actively engaging the world with humor, grace, and humility, but without pretense. I appreciate his writings and perspective.

3. Karen Shanley's Blog: Filled with musings about life with her daughter, her Australian Shepherd, her Border Collie, and her Maine Coon Cat, this blog is sometimes humorous and sometimes tender, but always insightful. I appreciate Karen's (who also happens to be a published author) insight.

4. Common Grounds: I just like this blog: the way it's written; the observations its writers make; the challenges they make to my thinking. Again, a faith-based blog, this site is filled with honest, warm, sometimes humorous obersvations about life and faith.

5. The Purple Cellar: This blog offers solid, challenging insight on what it means to live a life of faith, but it's never arogant, preachy, or condescending.

I hope you find these blogs as engaging as I have!

'Til next time,
Joan

We're BAAAAACK (after being in Tennessee!)

We're back from our delightful second-honeymoon-25th-anniversary-celebration-trip to the Great Smoky Mountains, and what a wonderful trip it was!

Nine days (count 'em -- NINE) whole days of just hubby and me doing what we wanted, when we wanted with no real agenda other than to hike the trails of Great Smoky Mountain National Park. No extended family with us. No human kids. No canines. No one else's itinerary.

Just Don and I. Wow. Way cool.

(Yes, I took this picture from the top of Clingman's Dome, the highest point in the national park.)

It's difficult to capture in words just how beautiful and majestic the Smokies are. All I can say is that you folks who live in Tennessee and North Caroline are truly blessed to have this national treasure at your doorsteps. Enjoy it!

This is the first time we've left all four dogs in a kennel at one time, and the first time we've ever left any of the them for this long.

The canine kiddos did fine while we were away. But BOY were they happy to see us. Even Ridge (who normally loves the kennel), was super affectionate when we got home.

They were so excited, I had to transport them only two at a time (couldn't handle all four dogs all wound up in the car at one time -- not safe for any of us).

Poor Ridge, who the kennel owners raved about the last time we left him there for two days eight months ago, was apparently really nervous for the first four or five days we were away (they told us he had diarrhea, wouldn't eat, and paced all the time). The kennel folks finally got him calmed down and he was fine for the rest of his stay.

But he seemed like a little lost soul when they brought him out to me.

And he's the one who's been most secure going to the kennel for a weekend (which we've only done once or twice a year since we've had him).

Usually the dogs go with us when we go away for a weekend (to the lake, mostly), or one of the human kids hangs here with them. They aren't apart from us much or for very long, nor we from them.

But this was out 25th anniversary, and we really wanted a vacation: a real vacation with no daily responsibilities.

We missed them, believe it or not. All of them (canine kids and human kids alike). I didn't think we would. But what I learned is that Don and I can truly celebrate being "us" and still miss our other loved ones. They are a part of "us" now, too.

Love always has room for more.

It's so nice, now, to sit by the fire of our family room with Baxter or Elsie snuggled in our laps and Kenya or Ridge nestled at our feet. We enjoyed the wood-burning fireplace in our Smoky Mountain suite, but it wasn't the same. The canines complete the experience somehow, bringing a warmth and security all their own.

And it's sweet to eat lunch at the kitchen table with our four four-legged critters nearby.

Yes, we had a delightful time away; it's the best vacation I've ever had.

But it's good to be home.

'Til next time,
Joan

Dad's Home! Ohboyohboyohboy! :o)

I'm a happy girl!!!!!

A Father's Daughter

This is a recent picture (above) of the Kenya bean, taken just a couple of weeks ago. Now here (below) is a picture of her dad, Buddy, from Deep Run Retrievers in Virginia:

It's amazing to me how much Kenya, though petite and tiny, still looks like her dad -- someone she hasn't seen or been around since she was six weeks old.

This weekend I accompanied my 84-year-old mother to an old friend's birthday party (the old friend was also turning 84) who still lives in the town where I grew up two hours north of here. I haven't seen many of these people for at least 30 years. After the party we also visited some cousins I also haven't seen in many, many years.

Without exception, these people took one look at me and said they saw my father (who died in 2003). Apparently something about my eyes, head, and mannerisms reminded them of Dad. Whether he intended to or nor, Dad passed something of himself on to me that I reflect to the world long after his death.

That got me thinking: What of myself will the world see in my children in the years to come? Or for that matter (don't laugh here) what will others see in our canine kids that reflect us and our values and lifestyle? Will our kids and canines become "good" citizens, influencers for good in their worlds?

In other words, just what exactly am I passing on (intentionally or unintentionally) to those I influence most?

My prayer is that it will be things that make the world a better place (or that make the Labrador breed a better breed).

I want my existence to mean something and (in some small way) to improve things for future generations, human or canine.

That's no easy task, but neither is it impossible. We can make a difference, even if it's only in one life at one time in one small part of this planet.

And if we all endeavored to do so, the world truly could become a better place.

Here's to influencing our worlds, no matter how small, for the better,

'Til next time,
Joan

Springtime in PA (a weather whine)

Okay. Now it's getting downright silly.

In January we had more sixty-plus-degree days than we had "winter" days.

In February we final had snow and cold temps (so cold, the dogs couldn't play outside).

Three weeks ago, it was 20-below-zero (F) with wind chill factors;

two weeks ago it was 75 degrees (F) warm and sunny outside;

last week we were back to single-digit temps and below-zero wind chills.

And Friday we endured another major winter storm (complete with accumulating snow and ice).

It looks like winter thaw again here.

While frozen ground and snow blankets provide a reprieve from the mud factor (see previous post), these extremes in temperature (warm, cold, summer-like, arctic-like) create more-than-ripe conditions for people to get sick.

Yup, me included. I got sick again.

But I'm back...again...hopefully to stay.

How's the weather in your neck of the woods?

'Til next time,

Joan

The Mud Factor

If you read Elsie's comment on the last week (previous post), you'll know I've been sick for the last week (a really nasty stomach/intestinal virus that lasted six full days - yuk). Today I'm rebounding pretty well, but am still weak and tired. My stamina should be quick to return, though; I tend to be pretty strong and healthy most of the time (how grateful I am for that!).

In the meantime, there are no sickdays for "moms" of canine kids (or of the human kind, for that matter). Labs, like children, don't stop needing care just because we humans get flus.

And it's spring here in PA, so it's mud season. Well, for Labs, it's mud season all year long, except when the ground is too frozen to yield the sticky stuff.

And mud is a huge factor when you have sixteen Lab legs romping in it. We won't even mention tails and muzzles.

Last week, while battling my virus, I could barely stay vertical long enough crate or uncrate the dogs, let alone deal with muddy paws and underbellies. Dear hubby was in CA on business so I was on my own.

But the canine kids still needed exercise (thankfully we have a fenced yard). So out they went to romp in the mud.

That I could deal with, even sick. Their playing outdoors actually allowed my some rest without having to crate them.

Ahhh. But then it was time for them to come in.

Mud.

Blech.

And when you're nauseated to begin with, well... you get the idea.

So what did I do?

I whipped out the tools of the season: Quikclean Waterless Shampoo and Quick Bath wipes just for dogs (these and tons of old bath towels we keep just for the canine kids).

What a relief it was to have a quick, easy means of bathing the kids when my stamina wouldn't allow for the major undertaking of regular baths for them as they came in from the mud flats outside.

:o)

Hopefully this week will prove to be better on the health front. At least today I can focus my eyes and stay upright without getting dizzy (that's a good thing).

And I can romp a little with the kidlets. I've missed playing with them (although they've lathered me, quite literally, with their concern).

I'll give it another day or two, and then we can romp in style.

The mud, however, we can do without.

'Til next time,

Joan

Elsie's Perspective on the Last Week

Elsie: "Bummers. Mom's been sick for, like, six days now. :( She can't play with us like she normally does. All she does is hang out on the couch and run to the bathroom. At least I can curl up on her feet and help her feel better."

Free Inside! The Other Things that Come with Labs

Before we bring our Labs home for the first time, we research the breed (well, I hope so, if we're wise) so we have an idea of what to expect. We plan on housebreaking and potty training and teaching them what to (and not to) chew. We assume they'll be lively and affectionate and reasonably healthy (though, we also rightly plan to incur some vet bills beyond check-ups and maintenance). We know they'll come with the need for a huge investment of our time, affection, attention, care, training, input, discipline, and reward.

Ahh...but then there are those things we didn't know about and couldn't know until we had Labs of our own.

For all you folks out there who are just thinking about getting a Lab (or just doing your research), consider yourselves warned.

And for you Lab owners out there, feel free to add to this list via the comments link below. I'd love to know what came with your canine companions.

Here's what came with mine:

• more slobbery large-tongued kisses than I hoped for or imagined


• more slobbery kisses offered in places I never conceived of (think wet-willy and human ears)


• a plentiful supply of saliva-soaked tennis balls dropped with eagerness at my feet (my hands will never need moisturizers again)
• a plentiful supply of saliva-soaked anything dropped at my feet (you name it, it's probably been one of my Labs exuberant offerings to me)


• the need to invest in 3m stock because of all the 3m-lint-rollers we use up retrieving dog hair from our clothes and furniture during shedding seasons (who's supposed to be the retriever here, anyway?). Oh, and that's after regular brushing sessions.


• an endless supply of automatic foot-warmers: all I have to do is sit down, and one of our four Lab-kids will plunk a head or rear or chest on my feet


• an endless supply of lap-warmers (see previous, but change "my feet" to "my lap")


• free showers on hot summer days (just supply the kiddie pool, lake, marsh, swamp, puddle, stream, bathtub, sprinkler, or any other water source, and you've got your Lab-powered shower)


• more heart-warming and giggle-inducing moments than I ever dreamed


• terrific photo ops (better than any I've seen in National Geographic or Life magazines)


• an audible security system (just try sneaking up on our house -- anywhere, any side of the house, any door, any window, and porch or deck; we'll know, believe me)


• a built-in, deep-seated comfort when I'm home alone at night (see previous entry)


• a motion-activated mood sensor (boy, are Labs intuitive!); all I have to do is walk into a room and they know what mood I'm in


• more comfort and therapy than I could buy if I went to a thousand therapists or counselors or psychiatrists (see previous entry)


• better incentive to run the vacuum regularly than my in-laws coming to visit


• a great weight-loss plan (increased exercise and food-sharing)


• more life lessons (see yesterday's blog entry) than those I could glean from the wisest of sages
  

That's enough for now (yes, my Labs came with a host more of other things, about which I'll post another time).

What came "free inside" your Lab packages?

'Til next time,

Joan

10 More Life Lessons from Labs

1. Love exuberantly; don't be afraid to show affection.

2. Feel free to sit back and relax sometimes.

3. Wait patiently for good things.

4. Take the road less traveled; it's more interesting and rewarding.

5. Remember this: to enjoy life, you sometimes have to get your feet dirty.

6. Don't be afraid to receive what's offered to you; your gracious acceptance becomes a gift to the giver.

7. It's okay to hide now and then...

...as long as you remember to take your friends with you.

8. A nap is a good thing; don't feel guilty.

9. We all need affection.

10. Sometime we lead; other times we follow. The important thing is to stay in the race.