In Appreciation of the Less Smart Four-Legged Friends

Apparently, there is a new, updated list of the ten smartest dog breeds. OK, so maybe you're looking for a dog. You might think this list would be a great place to start. It's not. Go out and get the dumbest dog you've ever seen. Trust me. I know it sounds crazy, but I know what I'm talking about on this.

We have two dogs, and we love them both. One is a smarter-than-me Golden Retriever. He opens doors. He stands on his hind legs and looks into doors (and windows), which makes for uncomfortable conversations with the neighbors. . .He opens gates. He gets into closed, dog-proof trash cans. He pretty much does whatever he wants to do, and we can't stop him. He likes to go down to the neighbor's house and play with their FIVE dogs. (He hangs with a rough crowd.) He is a daily dose of trouble.

The other dog is a terrified-of-his-shadow, "less-smart" Cocker Spaniel. I am not implying in any way that all Cocker Spaniels are dumb. Unfortunately, ours is. Somedays, you have to show him that you did indeed put food in his dish. He doesn't find his way out of the yard (maybe because he couldn't find his way back!). He is no trouble. His day is made by petting him or playing with him or hugging him. . .

In fact, when I think about it, dumb dogs have always been less trouble, and we've had a lot of dogs. There was Maggie, the 1/2 Bassett-1/2 Beagle, who could literally not find her food and water if you didn't show her where it was. Then, on the other side of the spectrum, there was Annabelle, the hyper-active DIVA Bassett hound, who could tell you exactly what she thought of you with one look. . .Yep, dogs are great, but dumb ones are a lot less trouble!

The Prodigal Son Returns (and other ramblings including a Vomit Update) : )

Thank you for all your prayers! Duke has returned. He has been cohabiting with the neighbor's pit bull, poodle, and new puppy. How can we compete with that? He returns home to eat, and then prefers to go play with the neighbors. . .

Kyler had a stomach bug on Wednesday. Kady got it late Wednesday/early Thursday. It turns out it is easiest to just hold the 2-year-old over the toilet AND hold her arms down (or else she's trying to put her hands in the icky toilet. . .). Just sayin'.

Thankfully, we're well again, I think. . .I was amazed at how selfish I could be when my kids were sick. . .My mom was never like that! I remember her taking off work, scrubbing whatever, and fixing us whatever we wanted to eat/drink. I really had to battle the inconvenience feelings. It really was not the "right day" for Kyler to get sick! I had other things I needed to be doing. . .I. . . As if my son wanted to be sick! I wish I could be a better mom. I wish I could be so much less selfish than I obviously was this week. . .Anyone else ever have those feelings?

Favorite memory of being sick when I was little: 1) my dad brought me a Hershey's bar (because I was sick. If I hadn't been sick, it would have been Snickers. . .) 2) my mom stayed home with us and let us watch anything we wanted on tv and fed us chicken noodle soup, 7-up, and popsicles.