A Matter of Importance

/ Ann Coleman

Mom has been super busy lately, and apparently that means she’s not had any time to write blog posts.  So I decided to write a guest post on her blog, because: 1) I’m a super-helpful dog (as we all know) and 2) I’m getting a little tired of listening to Mom complain about being too busy to keep up with her blog.  I’m hoping if I take over for a few days that will both put her mind and ease and give my ears a break.  I believe that’s what they call a “win-win” situation.

Sometimes I wish that I could talk directly to Mom in a way that she would understand, but so far our communication is limited to words like “stay,” “sit,” “potty break,” “let’s go for a walk” and “get off the couch.”  But if I could sit her down for a heart-to-heart conversation, I would tell her that she really needs to stop fretting so much when her schedule gets so crowded that she can’t keep up with everything.  Why humans insist on believing that they can “do it all,” don’t ask me.  But I know it’s a myth that many of them, including my mom, believe in.

We dogs know better.  We know that life is all about priorities and the way to keep from getting all stressed out and overwhelmed is to know exactly what is most important in our lives and behave accordingly.  For example, one of my duties as the dog of the house is to greet guests, and I’m good at it.  When someone first comes through the door, I race toward them and then (if Mom isn’t quick enough to stop me), I jump up and lick their face to show them just how glad I am they’re here.

But even though greeting guests is great fun, it isn’t my top priority.  If someone comes over when I’m eating my dinner, I just go right on eating.  And if I happen to be in the middle of a good nap when someone walks in the door, even if it’s Mom and Dad, I don’t jump up to say hello.  I’ll open my eyes briefly and give a tiny tail wag by way of welcome, but that’s it.  Because in my opinion, eating and sleeping are top priorities, whereas being a one-dog welcoming committee is not.  Which is why I don’t feel guilty about neglecting my greeting duty when I’m eating or sleeping.

I’d love to tell Mom that it’s really okay to neglect things like blogging, attending meetings, volunteer obligations, cleaning house, etc. once in a while, especially if she’s neglecting them because she’s doing things that are more important.  You know, such as babysitting the grandchildren, going on a much-needed vacation or celebrating the holidays with family.  Or even just plain old taking a little time to herself for a change.  But since I can’t actually tell her, the best I can so is set a good example and hope she manages to learn from it….

Love,  Finn

91 thoughts on “A Matter of Importance”

  3. Dear Finn,
    I think you’ve got your priorities well and truly in order. Taking care of those important things in life like eating and sleeping should always take priority. Tell mum to take care.
    Love, Harry 💙🐶

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  7. Good on you Finn, stepping in to make it easier on Mom. Sometimes humans just need a bit of help to get over the busy periods. You are so smart to help where you can. Now, back to the kibble. Allan

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  8. well Finn sounds like you have deeply profound wisdom and your Mom needs to be still and listen to this very sensible advise! Would sure save her a lot of heart ache and ease that burden of guilt and obligation 🙂

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  12. Oh Finn, I see you’re learning that humans don’t always make much sense do they- running around trying to do everything. Dogs, and yes I also have to say cats, are so smart and know exactly how to prioritize. Just keep reminding mom that she’s a great mom so she should take care of herself.

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  13. Haha
    Good advice, Finn! I always say that dogs are lot like humans; they need three things: love, attention, and food, and if they don’t get it, they go a little crazy. I suspect you’re similar as it sounds as if you’ve figure out what’s important and what’s not. I hope your mom listens (but I also hope she moves her blog up on the list, because we miss her lol)

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    • I think dogs and humans really are alike, except that sometimes (and no offense intended), dogs are a bit more sensible. We know what our needs are and we do are best to see they’re taken care of. I hope my mom listens too! And I’ll definitely pass on your last comment to her because I know that she will appreciate it very much! Love, Finn

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  15. Finn, do you think you could come live with me for a couple weeks? I could use some help with my blog and you’re just the fellow for the job! Plus Aaron would pet you whenever you wanted, take you out to play, and give you anything and everything to eat. I hope you’ll say yes!!

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  18. Finn,

    My man, you always speak the truth. And you know what? I have to start taking eating and sleeping a lot more seriously now that you mention it, thank you for that.

    Great job filling in for mama.

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  21. Finn, you are a very smart dog! Life is short…Your mom is a very special person with many gifts. She shares her gifts beautifully, but everyone needs some quiet time to rest and relax. Sometimes, in those quiet moments, we learn so much about ourselves and the world. Slowing down now and then, gives us the opportunity to reflect on our lives, and see things in a new way. (But, I don’t have to tell you that…you already have everything figured out.) 🙂

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    • You are exactly right, Ms. Linda! And your comment gives me hope, because I’m thinking that if you understand the importance of taking time to rest and relax, then maybe there’s hope for Mom too. Love, Finn

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  24. Dear Finn, You’ve got your priorities straight, my friend. I Monkey am having the same issue with my mom. Maybe it’s a “mom-thing”??? They seem to think they can do everything, and they run around like little tornadoes. Meanwhile, eating and sleeping are such good, enjoyable things that they really should find time to do them right, the way we dogs do!! By the way, I too am a guest-greeter, and my greetings always include jumping on people. Mom keeps reminding me “four on the floor,” but that’s just boring! Love, Monkey

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    • Oh, I know! Mom always wants me to keep four on the floor too, but that’s just too hard, you know? When we dogs get excited, we jump. It’s as simple as that. And yeah, I think trying to do it all is a Mom thing. But we’ll keep working on our moms, and hopefully they’ll learn someday…. Love, Finn

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  26. You really are wise beyond your years, Finn. I hope your mom recognizes your wisdom and properly rewards you for it, i.e., treats–while also applying your essential self-care rules to her own life. Wishing you both well.

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  29. Finn,
    You are so correct that us humans tend to rush around, thus get stressed out.
    I wonder if you have a priority of watching out the window at other happenings in the neighborhood? Seems to be many such dogs in your neighborhood that are very busy at the window or door when we (JD & I) were out walking. JD just ignored them.😂

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    • Thanks so much!! I think a lot of humans have a hard time learning this lesson, especially if they’re also a mom. But no worries, I’ll keep on showing my mom a better way, and then maybe she can help show you! Love, Finn

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  33. Oh my, you are very considerate and helpful. Humans do tend to think they can do it all or at least way too much. I know I do. I have to agree, though, eating and sleeping are most important, especially the sleeping part (I love to sleep.). You are so wise, Finn. I wish you could tell Ann those things as well. They certainly are true. Tell her to rest! 🙂

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    • I’m glad you understand, Miss Brenda! And I will keep trying to tell her, even though we don’t always speak the same language. But we have a communication that goes deeper than words, so I’m hopeful she’ll get the message! Love, Finn

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  34. But I can tell her…everything your smart little pooch said is 100% true! Isn’t it amazing how we can put such pressure on ourselves? And if we do the opposite and try to fit everything in, then it is not nearly as enjoyable as when we give things their due time. I get it, Ann. I LOVE blogging and it has been one of the things that I have had to curtail a bit. I try so hard to stay here and at least post once a month…and visit others in between. And every time I devote time to connecting with blogging friends…it makes me happy…it makes me smile.
    Hang in there…do what you have to do…and don’t let something you love become a chore!!
    Hope things are good in your neck of the woods!! ❤ 🙂

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  35. You are a very handsome and wise dog, Finn, but naturally, cats are just as beautiful and clever, if not even higher in the animal pecking order. I’m so glad you’re guiding and caring for your mom. She deserves to have a break from anything she finds stressful. Her blog and her readers will still be here for her when she feels rested again. My mum was only thinking about yours the other day and wondering whether all was well with her, so it’s really reassuring to hear from you and to know you are taking good care of her.

    My mum is just the same; I keep telling her that an hour of stroking me would do her a power of good and is far more important than keeping up with her blog. Honestly, these writers are so keen and eager to express themselves on paper or screen that sometimes they need reminding of the importance of self-care. Ah, now we’re talking; Mum has snuck out to the kitchen for a cuppa. I think I’ll take this opportunity to shmooze around her legs so she knows I want some food – and only the best, of course! Anyway, I’ll say meow for now, and I’ll look forward to chatting with you again at another time. Please, be extra nice to your mom, although I know you always have her best interests at heart. Enjoy your dinner when you get it, too. Much love, Peanut 🐈🐾 Meow 😻 X

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    • Thank you, Peanut! I think our moms have a lot in common….they worry about when they are too busy to tend to their blogs and their blogging friends, but they don’t realize that it really is okay to let it go for a while when they are busy with other things or simply need a break. I’ll be extra nice to my mom, and I know you’ll be extra more to yours too. My mom loves your mom’s blog, but she doesn’t mind at all when your mom takes a break…she says she’ll gladly wait until your mom is ready to post again! All I can say is, thank goodness our moms have us! Love, Finn

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  37. Hi Finn. Sounds like you have your priorities straight. It’s hard to be happy if you don’t get proper meals and sleep.

    But personally, I try not to lick people’s faces when they walk in the door…

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    • Thanks, Mr. Dave!! You’re so right about not being happy when we’re not eating and sleeping regularly. As far as licking people’s faces, I say: to each his own. I’ve noticed that not many people do it, but we dogs know it’s the perfect way to express our affection. Why humans don’t always appreciate it, I’ll never understand! Love, Finn

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  42. Ann, I giggled through the entire post! I was also a little concerned you’ve been listening in to my own private self-pitying rants. I miss my blogging routine abundantly, but align with the doggone truth behind priorities!! Hugs to you for the much need humor to cover over my personal woes….

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