Bang-Bang, Thump and then a little Clickety-Clack

I fumble in the dish rack and push my lazy susan so it will swirl about to the place where I put away the bowl I just bang-banged about. The next sound I hear is a thump and then the clickety-clack of doggie toe nails on the floor. Next, I see a fuzzy, white blur with a wagging tail that says 'What are you making me to eat?'

The "thump" came from our living room where our Shnoodle Lollipop has been fake sleeping. (All dogs share two qualities, sleepiness and optimism.) Ever notice how dogs always seem like they are asleep? Let me tell you, they are not. Dogs are fake sleeping until the next good thing comes their way. That good thing could be you, a leaf, another dog, a bird, a truck, or their ALL TIME FAVORITE, food! Dogs are the most optimistic creatures on the planet! They never give up hope you will show them affection or give them food. NEVER!

You walk or stumble into your kitchen, minding your own business, open a cabinet and then, THUMP! Your dog bolts awake like some sort of fuzzy tornado and comes clickety-clacking into the kitchen with a hopeful grin in their eyes. You see Dear Reader, your dog thinks they are going to get food. We look down at them and in a sing-song voice, assure them there is 'no food for you.' We look down at our dogs and lie! Dogs know we know we are lying like a rug. They see right through us! Dogs know we will inevitably drop something. Dogs know we may not know (or care) we dropped something and the pair of us share a common and unspoken truth; what falls on the floor is fair game! (Remember, NO JUDGING here at Mary's Kitchen.)

So, the next time your dog hears "bang-bang" and then you hear "thump" and then a little "clickety-clack," just smile and show a little gratitude for your ever sleepy and optimistic furry friend. 

If you haven't guessed already, this is Lollipop. A pocorn-loving, squirrel-chasing, yoga-interrupting fuzzball.

​Please share stories about the furry optimists in your family in the comments sections. 

---