tricky journey to self confidence

Here’s a story of recognizing progress, providing a reality re-set, innoculation against false friends.

Look at me!! Dad and I together for six months. Couple of weeks ago at age six, Twinkles the tiny dog goes took her first walk. Scared to death then, now I’m addicted to the exercise and more importantly social interaction, socialization it can enable.

Now I earned my first trip to the Dog Park. All the big dogs running around at a frenetic pace, can be a little overwheming. Dad was keeping his eye on me, then the sudden interdiction …

Dad, alert to the situation, saunters by, “Uh what’s going on here. I can see the ‘white in your eyes' Twinkie. Is the German Shepherd your new BF? Not sure how the geometry would work on that one.”

But look how popular I am. Dad looked at my hind quarters, “Yeah, well first I see you cowering under a chair, and you’re popular because it’s ‘that time of the year.’  When I inherited you didn’t know you not fixed.  We’re going to the vet tomorrow, we’re gonna fix this.” 

I’m not gonna be popular anymore and just made new friends.

“Ah puppy, your confidence has accelerated light speed, but it needs more development. Don’t give in the treachery of first dates and false friends. Twinkles we’re going to a place where, if you play your cards right, you’ll be popular beyond belief and make REAL friends, people who love you for who you are.”

But I’m OK here. “You’re better than to settle for ‘OK.’ Llitle dog gonna make a BIG change.  We’re gonna em-bark on a true aventura. BOTH of us will get Unleashed.”