by Susan Williams

Created on: July 24, 2010

I think dogs have everyone fooled. We all think they are furry little creatures that just eat, sleep and poop. Well, my friends, they have been pulling the wool over our eyes for years.

I have 3 dogs that were rescued. These dogs all have their own brand of humor and they know exactly when to use it. I recently lost my job and finding one isn't easy in this economy. Sometimes it is hard not to be a little down. Well, whenever I need a quick pick me up I know where to look. They seem to know that it is show time when I'm not myself.

My big dog Dash is part Australian Shephard and part Hound of some kind. We got him as a 4 month old puppy from our local humane society. I really didn't pick him...he picked me.

As I walked through the kennel looking at all the dogs, I stopped at his kennel to talk to him and pet him. He abruptly turned around, ran inside then returned with his favorite toy. He dropped it at my feet and sat there looking at me like I was supposed to know what to do with it. So needless to say he found his new human. Talk about working me! Anyway, his comedy routine is to go get his squeaky bone and squeak, squeak, squeak until I'm laughing hysterically. He never gives up! He knows it works every time.

I also have a little Chiweenie also known as a Mexican Hotdog. Her name is Tootsie and believe me the name is fitting. We got her from a rescue organization. She was found in a dumpster at 6 weeks old. She is part Chihuahua and part Dachshund.

She tears around the house like a little streak. She will bolt outside, then come flying back in through the doggie door at full speed continuing through the kitchen and jumping on the sofa from 10 feet away. When she finally tuckers herself out she likes to stretch out on her back in your lap and insist on belly rubs. Heaven help you if you stop! She looks you right in the eye and do little whines, whimpers and woofs until you get the message. Talk about spoiled.

One of the traits of the dachshund is that they like to burrow. Well when she comes into my office and jumps on the spare bed she slithers under all the pillows. It's like her little fort. Every once in a while she will pop her little head up just to make sure she isn't missing anything.

And heaven help Dash when she wants to play. She jumps on him from the top of the sofa and starts barking at him and biting his ears, lips and tail until she gets him going. He lays on his back and she tortures him until he is fully distracted then steals his chew bone. Even though she is relentless, they have become BFFs.

So I guess the life lessons I've learned from my dogs are that you are continually learning life lessons from them. They teach you how to laugh, they teach you patience, they teach you tolerance. But the biggest thing I think I learned from my dogs is that there is such a thing as unconditional love. And they show it every day no matter what.

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