I Sing Very Well

I sing very well. And I know the words. I just can't say them because dogs can't talk. Doesn't mean we don't know the words though. The reason I bring this up is because I think the world underestimates what dogs with arthritis can do. First of all, we're smarter than you think. We got humans to take care of us when it really should be the other way around. And most of us don't work for a living.

So now that you understand that we are smarter than you think, let's talk about why we're smarter with arthritis than without. When you're a dog with arthritis, you're more alert to the dangers of the world. But, if you're smart like we are, you put out a scent that tells other dogs you're not physically perfect, but you don't take any crap either. It's a respect scent. And only the few stupid dogs in the world mistake the respect scent for weakness. We can't win in those situations, but because they're stupid dogs, they're usually road kill within the month (seven months to you).

We learned a long time ago that strength often comes when others think you're weak. Weakness comes when you give into what others' perceptions are. So when they see me limping around, they might think I can't fetch. They are wrong. And when they see me singing, they call it howling and assume I don't know the words. They are wrong again.

Some dogs are content just knowing they are strong and that they know the words to the song. Others, like me, have to prove my resolve to those who don't believe I have it. Sometimes that means teeth marks, and sometimes a growl will do. What's important is that when we put our foot down, no one mistakes our resolve. We have special circumstances and we let other dogs know what they are. Because we feel better when we do. And so do the other dogs.