“I don’t care what the subject is, I should be in your post.”
To say that Maddie, our 3-year-old Irish Setter is a creature of habit, is to understate. To say the Maddie is positively anal about some things – might still be to understate. Maddie needs to do certain things, and she seems to need to do some things with me and some with my wife, at certain times, or else the world is not right.
It also seems that, in her little red head, all that matters is her world.
I’m not going to describe or enumerate Maddie’s habits, but I want to mention one, because it leads to some very nice photo opportunities. It can be summed up by the statement my wife and I often say to each other:
“Apparently, I have to go out.”
And no, I do not pee in the backyard. Maddie does, but very often, after she has gone out with one of us, she will focus her stare, stance and voice on the other one of us and talk us into taking her back out.
We know that she doesn’t need to go out. We know that she doesn’t really want to play. It is as if she thinks we need to go out. In the summer, we have to sit. In the winter, when she takes me out, we walk the perimeter of the yard. We stop a few times and sniff. Well, she sniffs. We might say hi to the neighbor’s dogs, and then we come back to the porch. Usually, Maddie then plops on the couch and goes to sleep.
The photos in the gallery today are from my most recent morning, late afternoon, and evening walks around the yard. I can report that all is well, and the perimeter is secure.
This post is part of Linda G. Hill’s fun weekly series One-Liner Wednesday.
That’s an adorable photo of Maddie. With that face looking at me, I would probably do anything for her, as I do just about anything for my two felines. You can’t resist the face. It’s called “training the humans,” right?
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Thanks! It is (adorable and it is called training) and we are very well trained.
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Clever girl! She’s checking her P-mails!
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Ha ha – and replying when necessary :)
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This is so cute. As long as your yard is secure, Maddie’s work is done. So glad to hear that.
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Thanks Lois. Maddie’s job s done. I’m not sure about mine.
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Cool post..I enjoyed it! Reminded my of my beloved dog and her weird habits sometimes..! Thank you.
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Thanks! They probably think our habits are weird too.
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Most definitely! They probably think we are nuts
.😆
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This is really cute, Dan!
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Thanks.
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Ah, my Wednesday starts with Maddie. :-) I definitely agree with the others – Maddie is in charge of training and does a great job. I’m pretty sure she needs a treat. :-)
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If she does what she’s supposed t do while we’re out there, she gets a cookie. That’s one of the early training habits that never got removed. She has switched roles, she is the trainER and we are the trainees. I’ll give her a little bi of Jerky and tell her “it’s from Judy” – thanks
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My old cat Joey had to go out every evening before we closed up for the night – his job was to walk once around the yard – we’d say exactly the same as you, when he got back in – that all was well, the perimeter is secured, sir, yes sir!
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It’s comforting to know that they consider our/they’re safety in their daily routines. Maddie is very much on a mission when she does this.
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Maddie has good instincts regarding all of you. :-) And your perimeter can never be too secure.
janet
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Thanks. I’m told that she just chased that Hawk off our fence. It might have actually been my wife, but it was while checking the perimeter.
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Loved reading your post Dan on how adorable pets can be. I’d love to know what they are really thinking, but it is much more amusing to take a guess. Great story and beautiful looking dog.
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Thank you. We can only guess about her reasons, but the intent is clear – we’re going out.
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Maddie is adorable and I can just see that blank stare as if to say, “You’re not getting out of this..” Smiling. Your twilight photos are fantastic, Dan. So pretty.
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Thanks Audrey. Maddie can be quite persistent. I’m glad you liked the photos. I often have to correct my thinking when she takes me out. I start off being annoyed, but then I see something I wouldn’t have seen if I had stayed inside.
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Apparently, Maddie has a “nose” for photo ops, and calls you out for them!
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For all I know, that could be what it is! Thanks !
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City boy.
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Ha ha – Yes, but these lots are really close together.
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Cracked me up Iowa….
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Our cat is much the same way. She doesn’t stare at us go out, but rather stands in the den doorway and makes it very clear that it’s bedtime. You can almost see her with her hands on her hips!
Great piece, beautiful dog, beautiful photos.as always. Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks Steve. Cats are excellent communicators, when it comes to what they thinks should happen next.
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I must admit, my dog takes me out quite a bit, too, but you seem to get better pictures… :)
Sadie likes to secure her perimeter every single time we go out. When she doesn’t, when she runs out, makes and hurries right back, we tell the other humans, so they know it’s crazy cold out there.
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Thanks. Sometimes, she gives me the evil eye when I grab my phone or my camera. Sometimes, I thinks she’d be fine if I were taking her picture. Maddie is only fast if you tell her: “do your stuff and we can go for a walk.” The weather doesn’t seem to bother her.
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That’s good — Not camera shy at all :) Sadie doesn’t like pouring rain or negative temps AT ALL.
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A.K.A. Sensible dog.
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Those little moments and habits are so precious Dan. I suppose it what makes Maddie, Maddie. We’ve just lost our little dog, Stryder because of a brain tumour. My mind and heart are full of his little habits,habits that made him so precious to us.
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I’m so sorry, Don. I know how large an empty space they leave behind. They just work their way into our hearts.
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wonderful views! someone once said that a dog is the reason we get out of bed in the morning. In your case your dog is the reason you get out of bed, and walk the yard, walk to the park,see the sunset and many more things… great post made me smile
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Thanks Jolynn. Some days, she’s the only reason I get the exercise I should get every day. I’m always amazed that I can see such beauty, right outside my door. It’s not like we live in a scenic setting.
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Maddie is adorable and amazing. I miss having a dog.
Those are some gorgeous shots!
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Thanks! We’ve been four times through the “I miss having a dog” – “Why did we get another dog?” cycle, but it always seems better with a dog in the house, than without.
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I do love a good tree silhouette and you’ve got a bunch of good ‘uns there.
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Thanks. They are so sharp and strong-looking in the winter.
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Maddie has you well-trained. Who’s a good boy?
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Thanks. Sounds like I should be getting a cookie :)
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Maddie’s sweet face In your morning post made me smile! Seems you are well trained to accompany Maddie as the security guard of the yard. Smart dog. Love the little habits of our dogs. Understanding them and going along is key! Even when it’s, “Really, Charley, you have to go out again, you just went out. Oh…kay, let’s go.” Well trained we are too! Great photos, Dan! 🐶 Christine
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Thanks Christine. We are well trained, and Maddie continues to give refresher courses on what we should be doing.
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Animals are like that. Cats bring home dead things because they think we’ll starve because they never see us hunting. Maddie probably thinks you need to go because she never sees you going.
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I’m sure every pet owner is nodding their head sagely while reading this post. We are all very well trained in the aspects of life which our pets deem critical :D
Great photos, Dan … especially Maddie. She looks so patient … I’m guessing that expression suggests she thinks you might be a slow learner ;)
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Ha ha – I think you might be right Joanne. She isn’t patient when she wants something.
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LOL. Maddie is making sure she gets you plenty of fresh air. That’s her job. You might remind her that she does not get paid over time though. ;) Hugs.
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Seriously. “You’re on salary, dog!”
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She’s just making sure you guys keep that blood circulating!
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I’ll thank her for that ;)
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You can’t resist that face! So sweet.
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It’s true. She has that look.
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You need a watchpeson’s key thingie to make sure you make the rounds.
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If I had that, she would send me out alone.
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Ha ha ha. :-D
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Isn’t it great to have that overwhelming sense of security that comes from knowing you have a diligent dog to take control of your world, and to direct you.
No wonder Maddie needs to nap so often. I’m sure it’s exhausting.
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I’m sure it is. Someone else suggested that she should get a treat :)
Thanks for the comment.
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Haha! That’s adorable, Dan! Thanks for sharing your “need” to go out. :D
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Thanks Linda.
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Cute photo of Maddie! I like the Moon and Venus conjunction images along with the tree images. You had some lovely skies that week.
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Thanks Deborah. I wish I would have had a better camera, but then I would have needed a tripod and for Maddie to be inside. These were gifts that I would have easily missed.
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:) We take our gifts when nature gives them.
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I know she’s Irish but don’t put Guinness in her water bowl. It’s not supposed to be very good for you apparently.
Please don’t shoot the messenger.
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I’ve heard something about that. I think that’s what you folks call rubbish. I used to give our first Setter a beer bottle when almost empty. She would lay down, “hold” it with her front paws and lick the top until it was empty. We’ve never tried with the other dogs for fear they’d eat the bottle.
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Haha!
It’s the St Bernards you have to watch out for. Never leave one alone in a room with a cask of brandy *taps side of nose knowingly*
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Ha ha. I was pretty sure that stuff never made it to the lost hiker.
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Oh, the post and the comments made me smile on a restless night when I could not sleep….
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I’m glad you enjoyed this Kate. Iowa’s comment did crack me up :)
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I have seen this “look” on dogs throughout my life and I like your succinct way that you expressed Maddie’s thought! :) I love all the sky photos!
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Thanks Robin. They can’t speak our language, but they get their message across.
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They are programmed beings with such big hearts. Love your Maddie, Dan!
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She is a complicated little girl, but mostly just lovin her people.
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Maddie knows fresh air is good for you so she makes sure you get your daily dose of it.
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Fresh air and a little exercise. What s good pup.
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Maddie knows how important fresh is for you so she insists on telling you. Now how much smarter can a dog get? I just loved your shot of Venus and the Moon. Thank you, Maddie! 😙
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She’s looking after me. I guess she is a good dog. I’m glad you liked the night sky photo.
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Maddie is gorgeous and so are your other photos, Dan. Thanks for the smiles. :)
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You’re welcome. I’m glad you enjoyed them.
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My husband is also a creature of habit. Most nights he adopts a stance — TV on, head hanging, eyes closed, mouth open — which tells me it’s time to tell him to go to bed. Which I do. Which he does.
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I get that same encouragement :)
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She’s such a beauty Dan. Who could resist that look? Too funny, her taking you for a walk love it! 👏🏻
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She is hard to resist, but she can be frustrating, especially in the winter when we have to bundle up and she should have something to do, but doesn’t :(
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Oh that would make me crazy. One good argument for a fenced yard I suppose. Yeah, Maddie, enjoy your walk! Lol. The things we do for love.
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Ours is fenced, but sometimes, we have to go with her.
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Like I said, who can resist that eager face? 😀
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Maddie is so adorable. Does she like playing around like fetching the ball? My sister had a German Shepherd named Sunny and he was so fond of me because I was the only one who treated him like my buddy. I used to play ball with him, take him for a walk, sit with him in the corridor on the floor as I read my book and he guards the perimeter. Sometimes I would just sleep by his side and he would let me. Such wonderful memories of him.
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She does like to play. Sometimes, she prefers to go out on a leash. She likes the confinement. We have to wrap her in a “thunder shirt” during storms.
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I’m a dog person and I like cats too. I don’t have a pet but here we have a lot of stray dogs and the kids in the community love them. Just few weeks ago a pup was born and since it is cold at night the pup was shivering so these kids (age 7 – 9) made a space for the pup where they would park their bicycles inside the building and arranged for a bedsheet to let the pup sneak under it at night. It was so good to see kids helping the pup to stay warm at night.
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That’s so sweet :)
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