Friday, April 9, 2010

Goals - Revisited

I felt like a deer in the headlights.

There I was, sitting in our first Canine Good Citizen (CGC) class, when the instructor turned and asked, "So, why do you want to get the CGC certificate?" And of course, she was looking right at me.

Uh Oh...

(blink)

Ummmm...

(blink)

I babbled something inane and then sat there feeling just a tad foolish. Not that there was anything wrong with the question. I can see how it could be useful information to an instructor. I might be there wanting to get Zachary certified as a Therepy dog, or need him as an Assistance dog, or... or....

Of course I wasn't and I don't.

(sigh)

Remember back a few weeks ago when I decided I needed a reason for my goals? Goals just like attaining the CGC Certificate? You see the funny thing (well, funny in hind sight) is that I had actually already figured out The Answer.

I even blogged about it.

Here.

What? Didn't see it? That's because I never published it. I don't know, it just seemed rather... silly.

First I babbled about having goals, then I refreshed your memories as to what mine were (you'll be spared that list this time around, but if you just can't live without seeing it, CLICK HERE) and then I moaned and wailed about lacking motivation, why should I go on, etc...

Really, it was the stuff of daytime television (well, it would have been in the 80's, when I actually had time to watch TV during day, not that I did, because, really, who could watch that stuff???)

Where was I?

Oh yes, wailing and gnashing my teeth, oh my.

And then it hit me. I looked up at the top of my blog and I suddenly knew exactly why I had goals and my reasons for wanting to achieve them.

Do you see it? Right there under the big, bold words "BZ Training"?

"A Journey Toward Canine Enlightenment"

Flip over to my other blog and you'll find:

"A Busy Dog is a Happy Dog"

Yup, corney as it sounds, that's it. And like so many such revelations, it was right there, right in front me, all along.

I do wish it was something fancier, meatier, something-ier. Something I could say with pride, like: I want to find lost children, keep terrorists from blowing up airplanes, and rid the planet of evil!

But it's not.

I really, truly, honestly just want my boys to stay busy, keep learning, and be happy.

... but let's see you say that in a class.

(blink)

3 comments:

katie, Maizey and Magnus said...

Kathleen, I just have to tell you how much I appreciate your thoughts and how much I can relate!LOL I'm not sure why having a "pet" dog is so much less lofty than having an "agility. . service. . .obedience. . ." dog, at least less lofty in my head sometimes.;)

I think what we should all want is exactly what you describe-a HAPPY, dog and the best way to do that is for them to "stay busy, keep learning, and be happy." I have a much similar post to your 'happy dog'post it's called "A Tired Puppy Is A Happy Puppy!" if you'd like to read it.

Thank you for all the thought you put into your boys lessons, I have learned a lot from you!
:)Katie
---
http://lessonsfrom4legs.blogspot.com/

Wendy Krehbiel said...

I think your answer is the best reason to take the CGC class :) Don't know why you feel it's less than worthy! I'd be shouting it with pride...

Also - sorry if I made you feel put on the spot :D

BZ Dogs said...

Well, *somebody* had to be first! :)

But it's nice to know that if you should ever ask that question again I can proudly state, "A busy dog is a happy dog" (marginally better than "I'm enlightening my dog", which sounds like something you should call the fire department about.)