same dog, new tricks
May 12, 2016 § 7 Comments
Our pup stopped taking the stairs during that awkward, otherwise unmentionable time, just after she was spayed. Still growing into her paws and too small for the cumbersome cone she proudly hefted around her neck, we dutifully childproofed our stairs to protect against pulled stitches or a herniated abdomen.
When her body had healed and the gates were removed, we settled into an amused irritation at our pup’s stubborn refusal to take the stairs; letting her in and out alternate floors of our home so that she could chase the difference in height through our old backyard. It was a small concession for her comfort.
Then, we moved.
Much like our old home, the second floor bedrooms were left to chaos. Our son’s desk and floor are often littered with books and incomplete tinkering; our daughter’s room, a confetti of small figurines and haphazard art supplies. Both children are champion hoarders with colorful treasures that hint at curiosities and distraction.
With the exception of bath time, I thankfully accepted our pup’s convenient disinterest in our children’s space. Less dog hair and no muddy paws, no hazardous pieces that might be ingested or unpleasant inconveniences.
One morning last week, while making breakfast, I playfully asked our pup to wake up the kids. A frivolous command, served over unfinished coffee with a hefty suggestion of sarcasm. I might have just as easily asked her to set the table.
With an ease and familiarity the belied her normal behavior, she strolled upstairs and jumped into first one child’s and then the other’s bed. Sitting over them and nudging them awake until they tumbled, still wrinkled with sleep, to the table. That first morning we watched our pup with unchecked fascination, measuring the possibility and cautious least we break the spell.
It never occurred to us she had changed her mind.
Over the past few days, she has added bedtime to her responsibilities; sitting on my son’s computer and stretching across my daughter’s books, curling against their legs or pacing between bedrooms.
The floors need vacuuming and the bedding is wrinkled and dirty, but it’s a small inconvenience for the smiles in between floors.
scribblechic 
That is amazing Marie. You encouraged an open heart, now the pup thinks she is really part of the family.
Small price for extra cleaning, and another child in the family 😀
I like to think she’s been parading up and down the stairs all along, enjoying a private joke at our expense; laughing as we haul her over the hurdle.
I’ll be more impressed when I can maneuver the vacuum without duress.
Perhaps your pup would consider adding vacuuming to her new repertoire:). OH, wouldn’t that be nice? And my youngest’s bedroom floor is always littered with things also. Sigh.
If she starts pushing the vacuum, I’m going to dream bigger. Laundry, dishes, gardening.
The floors. Something tells me one day I’ll sigh because they’re clean. Trying to remember that when I step on Lego shrapnel.
Lego shrapnel is truly a weapon of mass destruction!
That is an awesome story! Imagine if you’d never asked the dog to do this.
I know! And now it’s just part of our morning. No commands or requests, just a gently synchronized element of our collective routine.