Small Dog Play

Apr 17

My day jobs have always been ones that involved nearly constant interaction with others. My first fifteen career years were spent practicing law. Then, I moved into teaching high school students, where I’ve been for the past 25 years. Every day, I interact with hundreds of kids and dozens of adults.

And for most of my life, I couldn’t figure out why I felt so over-wired much of the time. And why, whenever free time presented itself (she didn’t come around often), I’d choose just to be outside, watching nature in the company of my dogs.

Several years ago, a friend said to me “you know you’re really an introvert, right?” I laughed. Me? I loved the energy of teaching and the reward in helping people through their legal issues. But when I looked deeply? He was right. I might love both these things, but they drained me thoroughly.

For a while, I thought my “extroverted introvertedness” held me back. It made me “outside the norm” and not in a good way.

But the thing is, being outside the norm is where things truly get accomplished.

When I stopped assuming I HAD to live up my extroverted reputation and gave myself permission to nourish the silence-seeking, animal-loving part of me, I made space to get some important things done.

So here’s to accepting AND appreciating all the things that make us different 👏 I’d love to know what differences you carry around with you - how have they made you better or stronger or helped you create things you wouldn’t otherwise?

#smalldogsofinstagram #downwardsizingdog #smalldogrules #dogbooks #writerlife #havanese ...

Apr 16

We walk our neighborhood daily and always wind our way around this coastal pond. The mute swan has lived here much, much longer than we have.

Two years ago, he lost his long-time mate to one of the pond’s prehistoric snapping turtles. I kid you not. These things are huge and hungry.

While the swan can be aggressive with humans who encroach on his territory, Scout is always respectful, and admires him from a distance. He spends his winters hanging out with all the mallards, buffleheads, and mergansers who stay the season.

They are such culturally different birds and yet they co-exist beautifully. Just sayin.

#smalldogrules #dogsandwildlife #401dogs #dogsofrhodeisland #downwardsizingdog #dogwriter #dogauthor #birdsanddogs ...

Apr 15

We’re enjoying vacation right now, so instead of writing something new about our birthday girl Scout, I’ll let her features in Downward Sizing Dog do the talking. We think she’s pretty perfect:

From Chapter 4: The Science of Small Dog Smarts:
Our little redhead Scout, who charms her way into everyone’s heart, understands that her special head tilt and unwavering soulful gaze she’s perfected will gain her a human playmate for as long as she’s interested. She also knows that whether we’re home or at a friend’s house, or staying at a hotel, smacking a door with her paw will gain her instant access to a potty break. She makes inferences about her past experiences (in these examples with people and doors) and concludes accurately that, although the exact human or door may vary, they are similar enough to elicit her desired outcome.
🐶Scout’s impressive social intelligence shines when we run errands. She trots along, entering pup-friendly stores with an open heart, ready to greet dog lovers, but smartly disregarding humans who ignore her. Because she is keenly observant, she knows who is available for affection and who is not. (And she has no interest in those sad humans who are not). 🐶
🐶From Chapter Five: Small Dogs Are Powerful Health Boosters
During the night, the girls snuggle along the length of my body, with Phoebe near my hips and Scout along my side. I often stir a bit in the night, reaching out to pat them, an action that soothes me back to immediate sleep. Scout always obliges my disturbance by turning her tummy to just the right angle for a possible scritch. Their presence, like my husband’s, is a touchstone in the night….

From Chapter Seven: Small Dog Travel Well
It’s a truism: even long-time small dog haters fall in love with Scout and volunteer, repeatedly, to take her off our hands. When we reject their offers, they invariably resort to picking her up and feigning absent-mindedness as they pretend to leave with her.

🎉Happy, happy birthday, to our amazing little red girl Scout, who makes every day so much more fun. 🐶💕🎉

#downwardsizingdog #smalldogrules #littledoglife #redhavanese #dogwriter #dogbooks #401dogs #dogbirthday ...

Apr 13

Truthfully, here on social media, most of us probably believe strongly that our dogs are NOT, in fact, property. To us, they are family.

But our state laws are so far behind what we know to be true—dogs are thinking, feeling beings who deserve human-level protection under our legal systems.

When a couple splits up or a dog’s guardian dies, dogs should be protected in the same way we would protect a child in the same circumstances. What happens to them should be monitored and decisions should revolve around what is in the best interest of the dog.

Right now, only six states (New York, Alaska, California, Illinois, Maine, and New Hampshire) and one Canadian province (British Columbia) apply the “best interest of the pet” standard in determining custody.

What’s the hold up with other states? Does your state have any pending legislation so your pup is considered more important than a toaster in the event of a breakup or death? I’m embarrassed to say I have no idea what Rhode Island says about the issue.

But I’m about to find out. I’d love to know what you think. Should states recognize our dogs as family members?

#downwardsizingdog #dogsarefamily #smalldogrules #doglaw #dogwriter #401dogs ...

Apr 10