Mia has been here just a little under five weeks, but figured one thing out almost immediately. Twice a day, after the horses get fed, the dogs get fed. Therefore, in Mia’s view, it is critical that she helps me get out to the barn to feed the horses. This isn’t so bad in the morning, but in the afternoon Mia starts about 3:00 (and I don’t normally feed the horses until 6:00.) First, she sits by me and looks intensely at my face. When that doesn’t work, she insinuates the top half of her body into my lap, with the same concentrated stare into my eyes. Any time I actually get up, she starts doing her happy dance, and trying to lead me to the door.
Occasionally, I tactlessly go to the mudroom (which is also our laundry room) for some reason, and then go back into the house instead of continuing on to the barn. When that happens, Mia looks somewhat baffled, as though she is thinking “Damn, I got her to the mudroom, now how do I manage the next step?”
Our bichon is attempting to train us (sans horses) in the same way. We know who comprehends the “how to train your human” book but who wrote it?
That intense look at my face gets me every time! For my dog, it is for a walk, not food, and she is considerate enough to wait for what is roughly walk-time – and the hopeful, anticipatory, ready-to-break-into-joy look on her face melts me like butter everytime – it is such a gift to have it in our power to create such happiness for a creature!
Nancy