Licking at Life

Dear Ms. LaPooch,

How do you tell your friend that they have that they have a spot on the back of her shirt?

-Perplexed

Dear Purrplexed,

I think your questions centers around one larger question:  How do you go about telling friends that there is something unpleasant about them?

You’ve heard of the expression, “What are friends for?” Well, friends are for support, and when you support someone, it doesn’t only mean hanging out and having fun.  Real support means pointing out to your friend that something is wrong.

My guardians, Mary and Jim, are my true friends.   When I took them on a walk the other day, it was a rainy day in Seattle; go figure.  I wasn’t going to let a little rain stop me from relaxing in some the tall green grass.  After we get home, they pointed out a muddy smudge on my coat and removed it immediately with a Baby Wipe.  If that hadn’t done the job, Jim would probably have taken me right into the shower with him for a shampoo. And I would have let him do it. After all, a girl has to always look her best. You never know who might pop up unexpectedly, wanting to snap a quick photograph of you.

Even though I was angry and caught off guard initially for having attention called to the unwanted mark, I quickly realized that it would be even more embarrassing for me to spend the rest of my day with a brown blemish on my back, other than the très chic heart-shaped spot I was born with and display proudly, wherever I go.

Here’s one last important piece.  Break the news when the two of you are alone, and nobody else is within earshot.  Nobody likes it when the whole room has to hear about their flaws or shortcomings.

All that said, you need to tell your friend that she has a spot on her shirt, but do it in a respectful and supportive way.  In the end, she will love you for it.

                                                                 Love and Licks to you and your friend,

Have a question?  Bark up at zzlapooch@gmail.com!

Hello & Woof

Dear Divas-in-Training of the World,

I am ZsaZsa LaPooch. Surely you know who I am. I hear a lot about you from my guardians, Mary and Jim.

I am not just any dog. I am a Diva, and a real original one at that. Even though I am only five. I am very cute. I know that because, well, that is who I am. I am a highly evolved Diva at that.

I was trained by the best, my Auntie Ness. I was her apprentice and niecette-of-choice for close to a year. She taught me so many things: how to listen, how to think before I act, and how to use my natural talents in a way that helps everyone in the world. She always said, “Sometimes the family we choose is the best.” And she was almost always right about things like that.

I must tell you that I am writing this while feeling a little sad. You see, my Auntie Ness became very ill with cancer. I thought she would get better, because she was so strong. She did not. Just before she died, she told me I was very close to the end of my Diva training and that I would know when my time had arrived. She also told me I had to tell her when it happened.

Auntie Ness, I am a Diva now.

I knew I was a full of Diva-Ness the moment I decided to write this blog. You see, I used to be a therapy dog in Jim’s medical practice. My job was to calm people down and make them feel good. I received treats from them, but without realizing it at the time, I gave even more. I gave lots of love and licks. I made people feel good and created good memories for them. That is what my Auntie Ness did for me.

Now I have decided to make it my job to help you achieve the Diva-Ness she knew anyone can achieve. So, to facilitate matters, I am asking you to be my pawpal. I wouldn’t mind learning more about you.

Sincerely,

Have a question?  Bark up at zzlapooch@gmail.com!