The Church Directory Picture and My Buttheaded Dog

Camy here, completely exasperated.

So we just had our church directory photo last night, and they allowed us to bring our dog, Snickers. After all, she’s our “child” and we always like getting a good family shot for our Christmas e-newsletter.

The last time we had a directory photo done, they also allowed us to bring Snickers, and while she wasn’t incredibly well behaved, she wasn’t a wild child.

Not so last night.

Even though I took her for a walk/run beforehand, and we were out exercising for OVER AN HOUR, she still had so much energy that she went hyper when we entered the church.

She jumped at people and would have mauled them if we hadn’t had her Gentle Leader collar on her. She wouldn’t settle down while we were waiting for our appointment. She didn’t listen to us or focus on us at all, even though we had her favorite treats with us.

While in the photo shoot, she wouldn’t SIT. She wouldn’t stay on the table. She wouldn’t stop moving. Even after they closed the door to the room so it was only us and the two photographers.

And she wasn’t even interested in the photographers! Go figure!

I was so embarrassed for my badly behaving, buttheaded dog. She had doggie ADHD. Those poor photographers were so patient and understanding, but I’m sure we were one of their worst appointments that night.

OTHER people’s dogs were better behaved than ours. OTHER people’s dogs actually sat on the table when told. OTHER people’s dogs didn’t have to be restrained with the leash on her collar to prevent her from getting up, turning around, sniffing the table, licking us, jumping down from the table, standing up or lying down when she should be sitting, sitting when she should be lying down. Sheesh!

Somebody please tell me that my dog is not the worst out there.

Camy Tang lives in San Jose, California. She previously worked in biology research, she is a staff worker for her church youth group, and she runs the Story Sensei critique service. Her humorous romance, Single Sashimi, and her romantic suspense, Deadly Intent, are both out now. She also gives away Christian fiction on her blog and her newsletter YahooGroup.

Comments

[Mimi B]

Camy, your dog isn't the worst one out there. My 1 1/2 yr old would've probably huddled under the table and refused to come out. That is, after he barked non-stop at the photographers. The funny thing is, he sounds so scary, but he's afraid of his own shadow. Not in the sense that he'd attack because he's afraid, but that he'd turn tail and run!

Just think of the families with babies who cried the entire time or toddlers running around not listening to their parents.

I'd say if Snickers didn't bite anyone or pee/poop at church, it was more successful than other families! :)

[Jim]

Call Cesar Millan.

[Sheila Deeth]

Aw. Your dog is gorgeous. No way she's worst.

[Camy Tang]

Good point Mimi! She did not bark, bite, or poo. Or cry like babies, so I guess that's a good thing.

Jim, we are devoted Cesar show watchers. We are not good calm assertives. I am more assertive than calm, and Captain Caffeine is more calm than assertive. We watch Victoria Stillwell more often now.

Sheila--Aw, thanks!

Camy

[emily]

I've got a possessive, deaf Jack Russell Terrier... Enough said!