The day I was born is mine.  I love my birthday.

My pedigree is Labrador Retriever.  In essence, I am nothing else.  There can be a plethora of adjectives describing me, starting with Yellow, ending with Fabulous, and many in between, like Smart, Cute, Smelly, Loyal…you get the idea.  The fact remains that I was born and I have a birthday.

My objective, every morning, is to be me.  First things first.  Out the door, do my thing.  Ahhhh.  Wonderful!  Oh look, there’s a caterpillar.  It has an interesting smell; different.  And over there, a butterfly.  I don’t make the connection, because I don’t make the connection.

I’m not a complicated dog.   Goals are more like needs than objectives.  I get hungry, need food, find food, eat.  Need love, find love, give love, sleep.   Oh yeah, I also drink a lot of water.

Some dogs live much more complex lives with superimposed goals and unrealistic expectations heaped upon them by their masters.  Their behavior is measured against their masters’ recommended  behavior for them.    Assessments often lead to consequences.  For instance,

Retraining.  New instructions on goal achievement.  Must learn or else!  Or else what?
Food rationing.  Less food inspires more interest in food and where to find it; less interest in goal achievement.
Suspension of rewards.  Rewards are generally treats; food.  No treats, less food.  More interest in food.
Restrictive confinement.  Less area to forage for food.  Irritability results from more hunger.  No longer interested in goals.
Physical punishment.  Suddenly, a clinched fist and a kicking foot resemble food items.  Chomp!  Bad idea and not very satisfying.

What’s next?  Don’t know but one thing’s for sure.  When you’re down and nearly out, and at the end of your leash, take comfort in Dog Rule #1…

‘They can’t take away your birthday.’