It’s A Dog’s Life

Living in a household of ‘lockdown learners’ has made Teddy determined to show he can also demonstrate his own practiced skills, as pawed by his human translator, Helen Stockton

There is a saying that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but I’m not sure why advancing in years means you can’t learn fresh things. Not that I’m an old dog myself you understand. I’m not even in double figures yet, and my predecessor, Rolo, lived to over sixteen, so I’m barely middle-aged. This is a status that I share with ‘Her Indoors’ although ‘barely’ is not an adverb I’d attach to her mid-life designation.

During the prolonged spells of lockdown, people have been busy learning new things regardless of their age. Amongst our acquaintance there has been sign-language, guitar playing, DIY, bread making, bee keeping, wet felt making and wild water swimming. Quite impressive really. Since I’ve been living with ‘Them Indoors’ I have demonstrated some previously unseen skills. Because they rehomed me however, they don’t know if these are new skills or ones I’ve had before that I’ve been keeping quiet. For example, I’m very good at walking upright on my back legs. This is very useful when I want to get to something on a table top – what can I tell you I’m a small dog. I am also good at spinning a toy around really quickly. ‘Them Indoors’ are surprised it doesn’t make me dizzy but I’m like a ballerina and keep my eyes on a fixed spot. I am very gentle at taking treats from people’s fingers, unlike Rolo, who would take your fingers too if you weren’t careful. I’ve found that being respectful of people’s digital integrity means that that you

I just keep her company and bring her a tuggy toy if I feel she needs some non-screen based distraction

are more likely to be offered a further treat. I’m not just a pretty face!

‘Her Indoors’ has returned to university to do some more studying so she’s clearly learning new things too. There has been a lot of huffing and puffing over her computer so I’m guessing her grey cells are feeling a bit stretched. I just keep her company and bring her a tuggy toy if I feel she needs some non-screen based distraction. ‘Him Indoors’ has been taking art classes so he can be found at his easel with his pencils and paper, squinting at some object and trying to capture its likeness. I’ve tried sitting nicely, directly in his line of vision, but so far, he hasn’t taken the hint.

Now of course, I have an apprentice of my own, with the arrival of young Bear in our lives. She’s been busy learning the basics, like where to wee and how to sleep during the night, but I’m sure she’s got potential for more interesting stuff over time. I’ll see if I can enlighten her so just watch this space; new tricks can be fun for dogs of all ages! l