the bells.

I love dogs. They have so much personality and spunk — such intelligent creatures. They give you unconditional love and still show excitement even if you leave them home alone for 12 hours (you'd think they would hate you!). But I guess it goes both ways.. no matter how angry my pup makes me at times, I can't help be love her to pieces. If she's not getting on my nerves, she is usually making me laugh out loud with her silliness.

She was taught to ring bells (that are hung from the doorknob) when she needs to go outside. She caught on quickly and was doing a good job of informing humans when she had to go to the bathroom. Then something must have triggered in that little doggie brain of hers... she must have thought something like "Hey, this ringing bell gets my mama's attention.. I think I'll do it more often." And so she does. It happened yet again this morning as I beautified myself for another day of work. She jumped out of bed, did her regular "kitty stretch" as she woke up.. looked at me briefly and pretty soon ran to the door and rang the bells. I let her out. Ten minutes after I let her in she is ringing the bells again. She doesn't just tap them to make a little ring, she bats at them like a cat plays with yarn. Then she runs across the house to the doorway of the bathroom, sits down, and looks up at me with her puppy dog eyes and a little whimper. I do nothing. She runs back to the door, rings the bells, and is back to the bathroom five seconds later with another whimper. So I walk to the kitchen to let her out – she quickly backs away from the door with the expression "I don't need to go out!", then looks up at her treat jar. Smart little shit, she's now figured out the bells get my attention so she's using them to get whatever she may want, not just to be let outside. If she could speak, I imagine each whimper would mean something like "Pllleeeeeease, mama, just one more treat!!?" and "They are just sooo tasty!" "I WANT ONE!!! NOW!!!", "Pretty please mama.. how can you say no to this cute little puppy dog face." and "I'll love you forever. Pleeeease!" And believe me, it's hard to not give in to the sweet little pup that she is...