in which Phoebe contemplates the loneliness of the long-distance hound
Phoebe has now reached the midpoint in her education, but was happy to note that there are no midterms in this curriculum.
Last night we learned stay and come. The teacher would hold each dog’s leash while the dog’s person would slowly walk away giving the stay command. At a distance of about twenty feet she would release the dog so we could give the come command.
Phoebe went first. I slowly backed away giving the stay signal. Whenever she looked away I threw a watch me at her and while I was within ten feet, all was fine. Once I got past ten feet she lost interest in the game and began sniffing around, checking out the other dogs and doing whatever she wanted. She stayed, but probably because she wanted to.
Finally, I gave the come signal and started calling her over. She looked at me as if to say “oh, there you are” and she walked towards me. While she walked she contemplated her life, her existence as a racer, her foster home, her new home, the dog that moved in next door, Daphne and Morrison and the more she thought, the more she remembered, she knew that she could never sell out. The feet drifted by as in a dream and Phoebe knew that she could do any trick, learn any command, but only for herself. Not for the teacher, not for me, not for anyone.
She stopped a few feet short and refused to cross the finish line come up to me until I feigned disinterest at which point she decided she really did want the treat.
Towards the end of class we started work on lie down. Phoebe stared at the teacher, refusing to lay down. Then the teacher turned her back and the moment she wasn’t looking, Phoebe did lay down.
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Visit Phoebe’s friends at the Carnival of the Dogs!
[saveagrey]
James Brush is a teacher and writer who lives in Austin, TX. He tries to get outside as much as possible.
She is a good looking girl.
Dwayne
even dogs like the chase, like when people seem to lose interest, your interest is piqued. wish i had a dog like phoebe :).
Ah yes…the cat-like nature of the greyhound. I will do what I want, when I want to, and there’s no way you can make me do anything else, thank you very much.
These were, after all, the companions of kings. In the 1300’s a commoner could be killed for the unpardonable crime of owning such royalty. Sure, they’ve fallen on hard times recently, but you don’t just lose your courtly manner and expectations, developed over thousands of years, because of a fifty year setback.
You’ll be sitting and staying on Phoebe’s command one day soon Ms. Trainer lady. We all will, well those of us who don’t already.
Phoebe thanks all of you for your interest in her education. It really does take a village.
The doglike nature of our cat is probably only apparent because of the catlike nature of the greys. Although Morrison tries to remind the girls that their ancestors may have been the companions of kings, his were gods.
Still, I do sometimes feel like they’re the smart ones. Especially when we go off to work each day to earn their bone money…
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