O is for Olive

I've had big dogs for almost 30 years now. Not just any big dogs...always a Giant Schnauzer. They're so smart and can learn almost anything (besides teaching you a thing or two). They have a keen sense of humor, know when something is funny and how to make you laugh. I had more time to spend training Olive, since my daughter was an adult when Olive showed up. That initial training has paid off in ways you can't imagine. I recommend the book Don't Shoot the Dog, which explains "shaping behavior." It's how they teach chickens to dance, and dolphins to perform precision choreography. It also works on humans (its theories have definitely helped me with my Asperger husband)...but it's very counterintuitive. Just let go and lean in...it's worth it.

Once I read an article that said that the love for dogs stimulates an area in your brain that is very different from the area reserved for loving people. That makes so much sense to me. I like to keep both those areas lit up as much as possible, it feels so good. Everyone should encourage the enjoyable company of dogs to keep those synapses firing. Don't let that area of your brain dim out if you can help it.

Our island friend Katherine featured Olive (and my grand-dog Pepper) in her blog, and shows off her handiwork on Olive's behalf. She created a "faux paw" for Olive after she'd had the fur shaved off of her leg for some exploratory poking and prodding at the vet's. There's a photo of Olive's skinny, shaved version at the link.

For a close up of the "cure," click on the image above and see what a great illusion Katherine's creation is! You might wonder what prompted the inspiration of creating such a thing.

Olive is used to the island "PupPerazzi," which is what we call visitors to the island who miss the family dogs they've left behind. Understandably as we're spotted going on one of our daily walks with her by these animal lovers, they are dying to lavish their doggie affection on Olive. After all this time, though she's not what could be described as enthusiastic, she's calm, accommodating, and will tolerate a fair amount of attention without complaint. She'll offer a "high five," and have her photo taken with strangers holding her leash...she's the equivalent of a celebrity willing to take time for her fans, even in the middle of a favorite activity. However, because of her status as surrogate dog, Olive is used to hearing a very specific set of words from those who approach her, usually in this order:

Q: What kind of dog is it?

A: SHE's a Giant Schnauzer.

Q: What is her name?

A: Olive - Big Black Olive - All Love.

Q: How old is she?

A: Eight.

General exclamation (at any time in the process): WHAT A BEAUTIFUL _______ (Baby, Dog, Puppy)!!!

Comeback: Thanks, she thinks you're great too!

That's about it, and she hears that series of words over and over. She immediately knows she's in for some manhandling and that our walk is going to be interrupted whenever someone starts to fawn over her.

Enter the shaved leg/paw, and a new, very different set of words rush in, with a very different voice intonation. No longer is she beautiful...a Giant Schnauzer, eight, or Olive.

Exclamation: OHHHH....what happened to her paw/leg/foot?

Olive's response: She tucks her foot in, hangs her head....

Slip on the fuzzy noodle that is Katherine's carefully crafted "Faux Paw" and she's transformed:

Beautiful Olive, eight-year-old Giant Schnauzer!

(here with her friend Riley)