Tucker

The following is a chapter in my book, Art and Soul

Tricks My Dog Taught Me

Determined that my puppy, Tucker, would be the best-trained dog ever, I taught him all kinds of tricks, such as to sit, stay, high five, speak, whisper, and play hide and seek with toys. Getting him to “come” was the hardest, especially when he was off-leash and outside. He would much rather chase the neighborhood cats than obey me—hard to imagine, I know! I have been frustrated by his inconsistent obedience, but he has also captured my heart and I adore him. To be quite honest, though, he has taught me a thing or two, as well.

Originally, I had hoped Tucker would be a service dog for me as my hearing declined. I no longer hear my doorbell, but he sure does and I hear his bark. And if my hearing aids are out and I’m in bed, I can’t hear my house alarm or the smoke detector, but Tucker hears them and he howls at the sound, alerting me to danger. (I hear his howls, since he sleeps on the floor up against my side of the bed!) It would have been nice if I could have taught him to fetch my keys or put his toys away or dust the furniture, but try as I might, he doesn’t do housework.

I’ve heard a lot of people say that they “rescued” their dog and I commend them for it, but frankly, I think Tucker rescued me. He saved me from isolation and self-absorption, and he gave me a new way to see my behaviors and laugh at myself.

Despite the fact that Tucker doesn’t always come when called or clean up after himself, he has taught me to be friendlier, like him, when I pass someone in the street. In fact, he’s willing to stop and greet total strangers! And although this takes me out of my comfort zone, I’ve learned that I, like Tucker, can encourage people when pausing to connect, and I am encouraged in return.Tucker has introduced me to neighbors that I have only ever waved to from afar over the years. Now I have the privilege of calling them friends. Admittedly, I’ve never licked anyone I just met—he’s got that one on me!

Teaching Tucker to behave has caused me to think about whether I always behave appropriately. I wish Tucker would learn not to bark at my friends. Similarly, I need to speak more kindly to my husband, rather than bark orders. Tucker is much too big to be jumping up on people, but I realize that I shouldn’t be “jumping” on people with my judgment. We both have the capability of hurting people and need to understand the implications ofour actions.

One of the best tricks I’ve taught Tucker is to “stay,” unleashed, outside of our local Starbucks where I frequently drink coffee and meet some of the friends to whom Tucker has introduced me. He sits for long periods on a raised platform, and doesn’t budge until I return. People stop to pet him, he is greeted by other dogs, selfies are often taken, and he’s adored by children, but Tucker stays put. He is friendly, but he keeps his eyes glued on me through the window. He waits for my command, “Okay,” before he will get down.

He didn’t learn this behavior overnight. It took days and weeks of consistently teaching him to wait and watch for my command. At first, he would bark when I didn’t come back after a few minutes, and I’d have to stick my head out the door and say, “No bark!” and remind him to wait.

I realized as I continued to remind him to sit, stay, and wait, that God may be telling me the same words: Sit with Me, stay close, wait patiently, I haven’t left you. And, quite frankly, following these commands is not always easy for me, but over time I’ve learned that trusting and obeying Him is invaluable. God has brought me wisdom, joy, and contentment, even when I “bark” or “jump up“. He still adores me and instructs me when I run away when called or told to stay. And I’m learning that I can reap the “rewards” or blessings when I am willing to sit, stay, and wait with my God.

It turns out you can teach an “old dog,” or an old gal, some new tricks!

“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air and they will tell you or speak to the earth and it will teach you which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature in the breath of all mankind.”

(Job 12:7, NIV)

*The painting of Tucker was by my dear friend and artist Linda Hummel.