Dear Just Brent,
I am a professional Dog Dancer and have also studied the art of obedience. I enjoy competitions and good times of just hanging out with my human Jo Jo. (My human's given name is Jo Anne but we are real tight so I call her Jo Jo.) However, my life has been turned upside down since she brought home the new puppy. She calls him Skywalker because he is always in the air. Personally, I call him "Sky Pest" and a few other choice names because, he won’t leave me alone!
Yesterday I had had enough and wanted some alone time, so I went to my crate/sleeping quarters, stepped inside and pulled the crate door shut. After a good long nap I got up, did a leisurely stretch with a touch of Tae Kwon Do for good measure. I was ready to get out of my crate/sleeping quarters but "Sky Pest" was lying down outside of my quarters with his annoying puppy butt leaning up against the door. For a moment, I was frozen in terror! I couldn't get out! Oh No! I started to cry like a baby and soon my girl Jo Jo came running and moved" Sky Pest" out of the way.
I have tried to be patient but it is getting harder, day-by-day, moment by moment. "Sky Pest" has now taken to uprooting all the flowers in our beautiful yard. He likes to bring the Iris bulbs into the house to show them off. He also brings in roots, twigs, and branches of anything he can reach. My Jo Jo has to rake the carpet before she vacuums. And what is really scary, is that recently he has taken to bringing in large pieces of concrete. We can't find where he is collecting them from and my humans are fearful that it is from the foundation of our house.
I think "Sky Pest" needs to go! But my Jo Jo does seem to really like him and she does find some of his antics humorous, although I don't know why! What I do know is that I want him to just leave me alone. Please advise on how I can get "Sky Pest" to quit bugging me!
Daisy, Boxer girl, 9 1/2 years old and going strong!
Bakersfield, Ca
Dear Daisy, Unfortunately what is going on here is a classic situation of les différences artistiques canine. In other words your boy Sky is an artistic Naturalist where as you, as a dancer, sound like a student of Purism. I know these things as Bridget the Poodle who lives across the street is also a student of Purism enjoying both water colors and pastels. It's amazing what that girl can do with a garden hose and a tube of Cotton Candy Pink lipstick!
I myself am a disciple of the Naturalist art form with a lean toward cubism at times. Both are relevant forms of expression in the dog world and are supported by most canine groups who dabble in the arts. The good news is, that yes, the two can co-exist under the same human built roof! What you need to understand and eventually embrace are the differences in the two.
Canine Purist (pups of Purism) tend to follow a clear precise art form. This concept is reflected in their still life work presentations which are both clean and pure.
Canine Naturalist ( pups of Naturalism) are an off shoot of the 19Th century Realism movement and often adopt a Darwinian perspective of life. They're works depict realistic objects in a natural setting. Okay let me break it down for you canine style!
Purist artistic dogs enjoy store bought toys from places like Pet A Go Go, Pets R Us and Wag'ems. They like to take their white and yellow nylon bones, lime green Frisbee and sky blue rubber balls to the middle of the yard and create a collage of inspiration. They appreciate that when left out overnight that precise presentation of pure originality will be cleansed by the sprinklers in the AM to once again sparkle in the sunlight of a new day.
Naturalist canine artists (myself and Benny the Beagle who lives next door) prefer the raw creativity of nature's toys found in their own backyard. Your boy Sky shows a clear Naturalist tendency with his use of twigs, roots and branches. Though potentially dangerous, I find his use of humanistic concrete to be both bold and original. And let us not ignore his incorporating your Purism influence with his use of the pastel Irises. I say well done! This boy definitely deserves your support as a budding artist!
Therefore, My Dear Daisy here is my advice to you;
1. Whenever you find Sky the Naturalist preparing to create, assist him with his gathering of the garden elements (twigs, branches, rocks and leaves). If he decides to lean toward a cubism expression (dig a hole), say "Hey Sky! How's about we work on this cubist endeavor together?" He will think you a great leader and very smart as you share his artistic vision.
2. If Sky decides to mix it up with a little Naturalism and a touch of Purism, applaud his daring by saying "Way to go Sky Guy!" The use of a personal nickname, from you, will help to build a bridge between your differing artistic tastes and let him know that you are there for him!
3. Promise him, that you will teach him to dog dance and that he will soon be the Fred Astaire of the dog world, but first he must quit eating the foundation of your home! If this does not quash his appetite for concrete say, "Jeepers Sky don't be a Chowder Head! The first two things that all dogs learn as pups are, one don't bite the hand that feeds you and two don't eat the house you live in!" Shake your head in disbelief, with your eyes narrowed, as you say this to him. This will embarrass him as he recalls that, yes indeed his mother did tell him not to do these two things as a pup. When he looks fully remorseful say "That's Okay Sky Guy, just don't let it ever happen again." He will now know that you can be both stern and forgiving. His appreciation for you as both a leader and an artist will be immense! His daily goal will now be to please, not pester you!
Best to you,
Brent the Boy Boxer Dog
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