Bicycle Gets Wise, Trains His Human

Some of you know me from around my town, Monrovia, or from Facebook or Twitter. For those of you who don't know me, I hope you will allow me the opportunity to share a little, and maybe we can become friends. I'm here if you need any advice, too. I've heard I am a wise guy.

Hiya, my name is Bicycle, my title is Donation Dog, and I'm twelve years old. I've had my share of health issues (some would say more than most dogs) and I am a fearful dog, always learning how to overcome. When I was just a pup, I was scared by two young boys who threw a scooter over my fence and taunted me until my owner (I call her, Ma) stopped them. It was my first time in my own backyard for a 15 minute trial period and it scared me so bad, I spent years not wanting to be away from Ma at all.

I used to have dog parties at Starbucks' every Saturday with my pals Dottie & Gabby, and any other dog who was friendly. On Sundays, I would walk ten miles with my dog brother, Tiberius (I call him Shrimpy), and had to use my Gentle Leader so I wouldn't pull to run home on the way back. My home and my rides have always been my safe zones and I think every white car is mine. I will throw in a few of those fun facts in my blogs, if that's okay with you guys.

For about eight years, I had to wear my Gentle Leader on walks, still working on being calm around scary situations, and Ma using every opportunity to show me that she's got my dog back. Some have told her not to spoil me so much, not to cuddle me when I get scared, not to give in to my fears, and other smart phrases they must've heard from someone smart. But, not my Ma! She doesn't listen to anyone except for me when it comes to how my brain works. I mean, I'm pretty sure I know how to be the dog I am, right?

The thing about my Ma is that she listens to me. I mean, really watches my expressions and my body language, then picks up on what I'm letting her know. Sometimes, I wish she wasn't so good at knowing what I'm up to, right dogs? Like when I just want to taste that cough drop or eat that Burt's Bees lip balm (the clove one is my favorite), can't she ignore me then? We have no drawer pulls in my room, by the way, because of my love for a good cough drop or lip balm. I digress.

Ma fully admits that I have trained her very well and is not embarrassed to tell the world. There is no shame in saying your dog is well-behaved, happy, cared for, fed properly, taken on vacation with you, and sleeps in your bed. The joke amongst my Facebook pals is that Ma has a small corner of the big bed and we don't leave room for her. Well, the truth is that we are her family, not just her dogs, and we do have our own spots to sleep, but she likes the routine of tucking us all in and checking us out to make sure we are okay. She also tells us she loves us when she leaves, when she comes home, and before bed, and when we wake up. It's never too much for me!

Now that I am a senior dog, my body is changing really fast. I have hip displaysia and a real bad back from a dog attacking me years ago, so it's been real hard for me to get up and down. When I fall, it's frustrating because I can't always move my legs the way I need to. My muscles are smaller because I can't walk far anymore and my eyes and ears don't work like they used to. When I get frustrated or scared about all that is when Ma is right there to help me through the old guy stuff. Just like she's been there for all the fun stuff we've done.

I think I got pretty lucky that I have a Ma that helps me up when I fall, listens when I speak, takes me for walks, takes care of my medical needs, and is always on my side. She allows me to be me and I think that's really cool. She says I did a really great job training her to be a loving and compassionate human who had to learn to listen and act how I see her. Well, I guess it takes a dog, sometimes.

*written by Bicycle's human, . His personality and actions dictate, she does her best to translate. To submit dog blog ideas or ask advice from a smart dog, email Bike: bicycle@twodogspaws.com To request Bicycle or his sister, for a fundraiser: DonationDogz@gmail.com