“Hey!  Get off of that!”
“Leave that alone!”
“Stop making that noise!”
“Oh my gosh!  How am I ever going to get him to stop

< fill in the blank >

?!”

We so often get caught up in all the things our pets don’t do well, we forget all the reasons we actually wanted them to stay with us in the first place.  So, let’s make an effort to start the New Year out on a better foot.  I’m going to go home and make a list – 2 lists, actually.  One list will be of all the things I wish my individual pets did differently.  And the other will be a list of all the things I enjoy about each one.  I have a sneaking suspicion the positive side of the list will actually be longer than the negative, no matter how often I tend to focus on the 2 – 3 problem areas. 

My cat Gamble’s lists would look something like the following (See if you can guess which list is which.)

List 1:
• Knocks things off the counter
• Nibbles on my leg when she wants me to get up
• Yowls to get more food
• Tries to eat my food

List 2:
• Entertains herself with her toys
• Curls up next to me and keeps me warm all night.
• Loves it when I drop a few pieces of food in her bowl.
• Rubs her head on me and purrs
• Her beautiful eyes and her fluffy tail
• Curls up on the top of the chair
• Stays out of the way when guests are over
• Plays with my dogs
• Comes when I call her
• Likes to chase treats down the hall
• Lets the vet hold her with no problems
• Rides quietly in a carrier in the car
• Likes to be petted
• Warms my robe in the morning
etc. etc. etc.

Today’s blog author is Marie Tripton. Marie is the senior behavior/training specialist at the Richmond SPCA. Call the Behavior Helpline at (804) 643-SPCA.

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