Teaching An Old Dog New Tricks

Can you teach an old dog new tricks?
I heard that you can't. Then I saw first hand that it's possible. Bow WOW!
There's a catch though...it depends on the dog you're working with.

MY HUSBAND is really great with dogs. He enjoys their enthusiasm and willingness to be attentive to his commands. We found out that our AIREDALE TERRIERS respond nicely to an upbeat tone of voice with encouragement verses being gruff sounding.

BOW WOW, if I were a dog I would be able to say that I have learned a few new tricks and since I'm older than a few years ago, I would be considered an old dog.

Since I started babysitting, I had to come out of semi-retirement in the NANNY department. Being responsible for a toddler during the daytime, I had to reinvent myself because I'm no longer in a young body and can't move as quickly as I used to. I only owned one Veggie Tale Video, so the hunt was on for videos from the Thrift Shops and the Public Library.

We have gotten well aquainted with Veggie Tales, Sesame Street, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Sid the Science Kid, Curious George, WordWorld, Bob the Builder, Barney, Angelina Ballerina, FiFi and the FlowerTots. Toddler can sing the entire Alphabet Song and she's only 2. She's learning her colors and is counting to 20. Manners are important and she freely says Please and Thank you. Her Mother is real good with her and at Bed Time, her Momma reads to her Bible Stories, memorizing scripture and prays with her. It is really sweet to see Toddler bow her head and fold her hands before a simple prayer is said.

As an old dog, I know that there are some areas of life that I have to let toddler and her momma do alone where Granny isn't allowed. Their bonding has to be a very special place between them that only Mothers and their Children have together. This is one trick I already knew.

During the morning hours after Toddler has awaken and had her face washed, she gets a diaper change, sippy cup of milk, and breakfast with a vitamin is served. This old dog had to come up with ways to keep a toddler happily entertained and room to stretch. Our family room is still a family room, but the emphasis these days are having it childproof and a safe haven for a child to play in as well as a place for adults to sit, visit and view television.
After getting dressed for the day,
we sing and dance,
read children's books together,
draw and talk,
watch children's movies and televised children programs on PBS,
plenty of toys to play with and time together.
There's a mid-morning snack and more play time.
Lunch.
Short playtime before nap.
( I am usually tired by this time and this old dog either takes a nap as well or works on paperwork, laundry, quick chores, etc. )
Through out the day there's diaper changes when needed.
After nap, another snack and if we're going someplace off we go.
Back home and wait on momma's return from work. It's a happy reunion when momma gets home.
( I am usually very tired by this time wanting to go home from work and have some freetime. Oh wait a minute, I am home! )
Think I'll learn the French language by listening to teaching tapes in the afternoons while toddler plays. She will catch on faster than I! We shall see.

Again, God has shown me things that I know not of. I'll call myself a Nanny Granny and I have had alot of fun babysitting. Watching early childhood developement again is seen through more mature eyes this time. Though there are challenges to coming out of semi-retirement, there's been a great deal of joy. AND JOY is much needed in healthy people.

If it weren't for my husband and daughter pitching in with clean-up, meals and dishes...I know I wouldn't make it. This old dog has arthritis and asthma in her body that makes some things more challenging for an old dog to do. Then there's that part of being a woman making her way toward menopause that hinders my energy level. That's worth 2 Bow Wows.

When you can't do things the way you once did them, you've gotta come up with a proactive plan that works for you and to get the results that you have to have. You have to learn some new things. OH BOW WOW...this OLD DOG has LEARNed some NEW TRICKS.

BOW WOW.
I'm still learning that as life goes, I have to be flexible and not rebel against God's plan for my life. Sometimes this is hard on an old dog.

God Bless you real good,
Deanna