A Professional Dog

Béla does not know fatigue; it is not compatible with her muscles and bones.

At the first vet visit, she was given a good once-over, and then was declared to be 'the size of dog that cannot get enough exercise'.

That sounded daunting and soon proved to be. I used to take her out for 3-mile runs in the morning before work. I thought they were good enough to put her to sleep for the day. The evening we ran 8 miles showed me what a fool I'd been. We returned - me so tired I could barely find the strength to shower and eat...she, on the other hand, wolfed her dinner, sat on the couch for about 45 min. and then got up, like 'So....what are we going to do tonight?' She insults me.

It is useless to impose my tiredness upon her. A couple walks per day won't do; a jaunt around the block may as well be nothing. So it is back and forth to the park, rain or shine. Run her, jump her, wear her out. Go home and pray that it was enough for her to rest comfortably; and to allow you to do the same.
If you shorted her, you will pay. She will rise from her chair and stand in front of you, staring you down, tail waving wildly! behind her. It actually is intimidating. She looks rabid.

She is always ready for play, always looking just a liiittle tooo alert. My niece decided to re-introduce Bela to me one day. She ushered Bela towards me, and said, much like an emcee: "HERE'S BELA!...YOUR TRUSTY, EXCITED DOG!" She really did nail it with those adjectives.

In order for maximum efficiency in her workout, there is a park programme. Throwing a ball, waiting for her to return it to me and throwing it again would be a waste of time. So: Throw Ball #1 long, prep Ball #2 for pop-fly on return...and if a Ball #3 is available, grab that and give a second pop-fly in opposite direction. Keep her on her toes. If she lays down to rest, allow her that, but remember that rest here means confrontation at home.

No matter how annoyed I am, putting on my shoes to stand in a park and juggle balls like a magician, every time I'm there, I am happy to see her happy. I delight in her dogness.

A passerby in a park paid her her highest compliment one day. He paused, observing her, and then said, "Now THAT is a professional dog.

She is a wonderful dog...a trusty, excited dog -- she is A Professional Dog.