Almost a year ago, I adopted an 8-year-old Maltese mix from the local shelter. His previous owners indicated that he had a lot of issues; however, I have found him to be a pretty good dog. He is not perfect, but neither am I. He is very, very sweet and a big time cuddler and he has a lot of traits that I wish I had. In that spirit, here are the top 10 reasons I wish I were my dog.
10. Gus doesn’t care what his name is. His previous owners named him Cookie (or Donkey, the shelter couldn’t understand their accent) and he didn’t mind that name either.
9. Gus adapts to anything that happens to him. He went from a home with a large family, to 60 days in a shelter to just me. Within 3 days, he was happy and content. He just rolls with the punches.
8. Gus lives in the moment and each moment is a happy one. He loves to bounce along chasing squirrels and rabbits or snuggling in my lap. It’s all good.
7. Gus gets treats every time he pees in the right place (housebreaking was one of his issues). I would be rich if I got money for every time I peed in the right place.
6. Gus just wants love; he doesn’t want recognition, money or fame. He views every person as a potential snuggler.
5. Gus has a lot of confidence. And if he is intimidated by it, he just pees on it.
4. Gus is happy in his own fur and doesn’t care what he is wearing or looks like.
3. Gus expects to be loved and because he expects it, he is.
2. Gus doesn’t care what you look like or smell like, as long as you want to be with him, he wants to be with you.
And, Number 1:
1. Gus looks as good with his clothes off as his clothes on.
Angela Rieck was born and raised on a farm in Caroline County. After receiving her PhD in Mathematical Psychology from the University of Maryland, she worked as a scientist at Bell Laboratories and held management jobs at AT&T, HP, and Medco. Angela is also a wife, mother and an active volunteer serving on the Talbot County School Board for 13 years and fostering and rehabilitating over 200 dogs. After the death of her husband, Dr. Rieck returned to the Eastern Shore to be with her siblings. With a daughter living and working in New York City, she and her dogs now split their time between Talbot County and Key West, FL.
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