Labradors are intuitive. They know when danger is looming, when a storm is brewing and when suspicious people walk past your gate. They know when dad arrives home because they know the distinctive sound his car makes - the physic-puppy snout is well developed.
They know that when you snack on something, the food will inevitably be shared, by staring and drooling for a long enough period of time. This is reciprocated by
Libby is also a great mediator. Silent treatment and huffing husband causes stress for the Lab. She can solve any argument by doing something silly, which usually breaks the tension, with us bursting into hysterical giggles, argument forgotten. If not, death by smothering-sock dragged across your face is a good trick too!
I have also learned that Labradors are bad with math:
If same sized dog can exit door, surely same sized dog can enter the same way? Nope. Libby can open doors to get out, but will sit forlornly outside the same sliding door, scratching to get in. This means drop everything you are doing and open the damn door... one inch. She is also doubtful that when you offer her one biscuit, there is in fact… only one. She will sniff, claw and scratch in the hopes of another biscuit magically appearing in the same very empty hand.
Opposites attract:
In, out, top and bottom are uncomfortable topics for the Lab. When you are inside, she can’t be outside and vice versa. This applies to cars, swimming pools and right and wrong side of the fence. If you are on top of the couch, she can’t be on the floor. If you go upstairs, Lab will follow. If you are in the loo, Lab will be there too! I suspect she suffers from separation anxiety.
I have also learned some valuable time management skills. Now, means NOW or else. “Hang on, wait and just gimme 5 minutes” do not apply to Labradors . They are driven by instinct. Leaving something unsupervised on the kitchen counter teaches you the value of 2 seconds too late and that meal times may never (never), never be late.
In short, the most important lessons are:
Some days it is better to just keep your head in the bucket. It’s okay to have an off day.
There is nothing as unmoveable as a Labrador on a couch.
Let sleeping dogs lie.
Don’t ever say the w-a-l-k word out loud if you are not prepared to be dragged around the block.
Sometimes just throwing a ball can make you forget your woes – even if you throw like a girl.
A wagging tail is a sign of "I did something wrong, but maybe she will not notice"
A wagging tail is a sign of "I did something wrong, but maybe she will not notice"
Snuggling with a Labrador is the most comforting feeling in the world…unless of course, she starts chewing on your ear…
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