A Dog’s Life

/ Ann Coleman

1V5A5533Sometimes it’s not easy being a dog.  Don’t get me wrong:  I love my family.  I really do.  And after living for months in an animal shelter, I’m really grateful to be in a house with my own dog bed, dog toys, and best of all, my own supper dish.  My human parents treat me very well most of the time.  They take me for walks, play with me, and give me lots of attention.  Plus, I’ve got them trained to be very generous with the dog treats.

But there are still times when it’s hard to be a dog living in a house that is run by humans.  Because sometimes humans say and do things that don’t make any sense at all.

For instance, our house has two beds, three couches, and five upholstered chairs.  Every single piece of that furniture is absolutely perfect for curling up and sleeping on.  I know, because I’ve done it.  They’re incredibly soft and comfortable, and obviously designed for a good nap.  But what happens whenever Mom or Dad finds me sleeping on them?  I get told to get down, that’s what.  And not too nicely, either.  Sometimes they even call me a bad dog.

Thunderstorms are another example.  Whenever I hear the rumble of thunder, or even sense the change in atmosphere that tells me a storm is coming, I do the only sensible thing and hide.  Everyone knows that when the end of the world is so obviously imminent, your only chance is to find a safe spot to ride it out.  But do my parents join me?  Nope.  They just go on about their business, acting as if nothing is wrong.  Sometimes (and I swear I’m not making this up), they even put on their raincoats and leave the house.  I can hear them driving off, leaving me all alone to face the danger.

But the weirdest stuff started a couple of months ago, when the vet told my Mom that I had tested positive for heart worm.  I didn’t think it was such a big deal, since worms are rather common in the dog world, but my parents freaked out.  No more walks for me, or games of fetch.  Dad even fenced off most of the yard so I didn’t have much room to run around.  Worst of all, they switched me to a low-calorie dog food.  It doesn’t taste nearly as good as my regular food, but I had to eat it anyway.

They made me go to the vet twice to get some injections, and I can tell you that dogs don’t like to get shots any more than people do.  The second time I even had to spend the night at the vet’s office.  Whatever was in that shot made me feel sore and tired for a long time, but gradually I began to feel better.  Still, I wondered if I’d ever get my normal life back.

Thankfully, my vet has decided that the heart worms are gone, and my parents have calmed down.  Dad even took down that ugly temporary fence, so now I can go behind the garage and hunt for varmits.  The rabbits, squirrels and chipmunks have gotten really bold during the time I’ve been on restrictions, but I’ll soon put an end to that.

So, I guess there’s hope for my parents after all.  If they can figure out that dogs are supposed to be able to go for walks and play in the back yard, they might figure out the other stuff too.  Maybe they’ll even join me under the chair the next time there’s a thunderstorm.  And if we don’t all fit under there, I’ve got some diet dog food I’d gladly share….

Love, Finn

89 thoughts on “A Dog’s Life”

  2. Dear Finn,. I’ve not been tested for worms lately, but if I find some in the yard you know that I’ll be rolling my hide all over them. It feels so good and it teaches them a lesson. All the best placed to pee, Shorty.

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  5. Dear Finn. Man, can I relate! My human, Larry, has decided that I am overweight even though most of my cool cat friends think I look just fine. My evil vet told him that obesity could cause heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and other diseases humans get. So yeah, I’m on a diet and Larry doesn’t leave any food out at night for me to snack on. It’s just not right. I used to be a happy fat cat, but now….I could just cry. Dang humans – we need to protest. Your friend, Max.

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    • I’m so sorry, Max! We animals know that food is for eating, and that there’s nothing wrong with an extra pound or two. It just shows we have our humans trained properly to feed us what we want. I’m so sorry yours hasn’t learned that yet. I hope that changes. If you start a petition, I’ll sign it!…..Finn

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  7. Our dog Lyla says that she seconds all of that, except that she is small and is allowed on the furniture. But she points out that fireworks over the 4th of July are very traumatic and hiding under the bed is mandatory.

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  8. Aww…such a good dog! Glad you are better, Finn. Maybe you can teach those parents a few things about good places to nap and you can learn not to be afraid of the thunder. And you are lucky to have them as parents. Good luck on those varmints! P.S. You look pretty happy on that sofa – handsome too! Say hello to Mom for me. Stay well.

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    • Thank you!!! Yes, I’m really hoping that Mom and Dad figure out it’s okay for me to be on the furniture. They may not always understand, but I know they love me and they mean well. I’ll tell Mom hello from you for sure! …..Finn

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    • I’ve heard my parents complaining about that virus. But if it means no fireworks, then I’m all in favor of it. I mean, they sound just like thunder, and we all know that means doom….so how can I possibly be calm when I hear fireworks? Thanks for the warning, Janis!…..Finn

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    • That’s what I want to know, Neil!!! I mean, it’s the end of the world, and what do they do? They head off to have a meal in a restaurant or something equally stupid and unnecessary! It’s enough to drive a dog to despair…….Finn

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  15. Oh Finn! Glad to hear you are doing well! Your Mom and Dad really love you! But – tell them Charlie says you should be allowed on the soft beds! hehehehe!

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  16. Hey Finn, so glad you’re doing well 🙂
    The narrative reminded me of my dog who was always trying to be more human-like and definitely had the same life perspective like Finn.

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  17. Dear Finn,
    I so get you with those thunderstorms, I don’t like them one little bit either. I used to jump on mum and dad’s bed,until I found out they really didn’t like that, now I just go underneath, it’s safer there! I’m glad to hear you’re feeling better. Sounds like those dog pills have done the trick. If we lived closer I’d like to come over and play. Keep smiling buddy.
    Love Harry. 🙂

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    • Thanks, Harry!! I’m with you…the one time I don’t want to be on Mom and Dad’s bed is when there’s thunder, because then I’d definitely rather be under the bed. It’s safe there, as all dogs know. And who knows? Maybe someday we will meet and be able to play! Until then, take good care of your family, and know you have a friend in the States……Finn

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  18. Love this Ann! Our rescue Sophie had heart worms too. She’s 12 ish now. But the treatment was brutal. Can’t imagine how awful the disease or treatment feels. Good to hear Finn recovered.

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    • Yes, the treatment can be very hard! We’re so glad Finn came through it okay. Heart worms are much more common than I ever realized. I’m glad your Sophie is okay!!!

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  19. That is the reason Buddy has two dog beds in the living room and one in the bedroom plus his own blanket on my bed in case he decides to get up. The funny thing is he does use them all, including going to his bed in the bedroom if I don’t go to bed on his time schedule!

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    • Dogs are so funny! Finn has two beds too, but prefers our furniture. During the day, that is. Around 7:30 every night, he goes to one of his own bed and falls asleep. And it’s very hard to wake him up for his late night potty break, too. He believes in the value of a good night’s sleep!

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  20. this is truly priceless Ann, you have totally presented Finn’s POV with such aplomb! So glad he’s recovered, and please give him a decent feed 😉

    And then Harry’s response too … what a treat!

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  22. I’m with your Mom & Dad on the furniture thing. You see Finn, the problem is fur! It gets everywhere! I am guessing you like your fur & would be very embarrassed to be seen without it so, it’s dog beds for you my friend.😂. Good to hear you are feeling well.💕

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    • Yeah, that’s what Mom says too. She doesn’t want my fur all over everything. (I still don’t quite see why. I have fur all over me, and I’m totally okay with that.) But I know humans have their little ways, and all I can do is adapt to them. Thank goodness they gave me two comfy dog beds! Thanks for the comment, it was nice to talk to you!…..Finn

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  24. I hear you, pal. Those humans can be weird sometimes. I meow for so long beside the window since I want to go outside to play in our backyards. But mom just doesn’t get it. However, with the furniture in the house, I am the boss. I already marked the two sofas with my scratches and climbed the curtains, and that was so much fun. My mom also got me the diet food, but I have my ways to get more. Enjoy your walks cause all I get is occasionally backyard time. Meow, Fiber

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    • Good to hear from you, Fiber! And I admire the way you made your own rules about the furniture. I should try that! But I’m sorry you aren’t able to go for walks. I know that’s common with a lot of cats, and am glad you at least get to go out in the yard now and then. We love our humans, but honestly, we don’t always understand them!

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  25. My daughter would love this post, told from the dog’s point of view! I like it as well. Our dog hates thunderstorms—she has a variety of good places to hide. Sometimes she will try to bust in to our son’s room to hide with him–which aggravates him just a little when it is the middle of the night.
    If my daughter were writing the comment it would be from the dog’s point of view–I am not as clever as that.

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    • It’s easy for me, because Finn is right here and tells me what to say! I’m not sure why dogs are so afraid of thunderstorms, but they certainly are. And yeah, it can be annoying. Growing up, I had a dog that insisted on sleeping on my pillow during a thunderstorm….the less said about that, the better! Thanks for the comment, Kate!

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    • They were not to his liking at all!! But just like the restrictions we have to go through, they were good for him. (But try explaining that to a dog….LOL!) Thanks for your comment!

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  30. Hey, I don’t have a dog. but with this, now I know what it’s like to be a dog. P.S. glad Finn doesn’t have heart worms now! also, I can tell that Finn can run and play just about anytime. Even though I don’t have a dog, I can feel sorry for dogs!

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  33. Oh, Finn! It’s so lovely to hear from you and I’m really happy that you’re well again and can bounce around in the garden! How very rude to tell you you’re a bad dog for taking naps in places obviously made for that purpose. 😂 But be gentle on your humans I know they only mean well. 😉

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    • Yeah, I try to be patient with them. I just remind myself that humans don’t know any better. They don’t realize that comfortable furniture is made for sleeping on, varmints were made for chasing, yards were made for running and digging, and most important of all…..good food was made for eating!

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    • I think that’s pretty common in dogs, Sheryl! Although I think Finn does take it to new levels. He won’t even go outside if we have the sprinkler going…in the corner of the yard where he can easily avoid it.

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  36. Hello Finn, I’m glad to have found you and super glad you are doing ok. I have a dog named Finley and she would love to be your friend! Take care of yourself! From your description, it appears your in good hands.

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  38. Finn – I’m so sorry to hear about your heart worms but so glad to know you are heathy one again. Kali had heartworm before she came to America from Taiwan. That was before she adopted me so I have not gone through the treatment period like you parents have. I’m sure they did all the right things even though it may not have felt like it. And BTW humans are far less perfect than pups so cut them a little slack and be patient. Good boy! 🙂

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  41. Fiiiiiiiinnnnn . . . . did you leave something out of your telling? You get scolded for being on the HUMAN furniture, but I bet you have plenty of beds of your own. I bet they are just as soft and perfect to curl up on and nap . . . . c’mon . . . fess up, pup!

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  42. I’m not sure about that, but maybe. I know all of my beloved dogs were not allowed on furniture. But then again, we used to get down on the floor to be with the them . . . so, not sure if that makes a difference. I am sure your dog beds are pretty comfy, Finn . . . . it is actually a misnomer, it should not be called FURniture!

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