Today, I’d like to start with the lesson. Your lesson is, it takes two to have an argument. Let that sink in for a moment. I’ll wait. Okay, now that you’ve really absorbed it, I’ll follow up with a few short stories and some logic to back it up.
I live with an old man, a prude, and a cat. I really enjoy all of their company. I am a puppy and puppies are naturally rambunctious, curious, playful, still learning social cues, and pushing the limits. At home, I am in a sticky situation pretty much daily, simply because I am doing all those things that come naturally to a puppy. At least one, if not each, of my housemates is either smacking, growling, or snapping at me. Now, I could push harder for what I want when they let me know I’ve reached the limit. I could put my big boy voice on and respond with the same attitude. If I did that, what would the benefit be? Would I get what I want? Maybe. Does someone get hurt? Probably. If not physically, definitely emotionally. There is no benefit to arguing my point. I can sit back and wait. I’ll get what I want eventually. No one gets hurt and no relationships bruised.
At daycare they say I am “Mr. Happy Go Lucky, without a care in the world”. I like that. They told mom, a tiny puppy was poking at me all day and I let it happen. Don’t get me wrong. I am not allowing anyone to walk all over me. I just don’t care about it as much. I’ll remove myself when I feel the need to, but I won’t make a big stink over it. If I did, especially at daycare, I’d get a squirt from the water bottle, maybe a time out, maybe a call to mom, and maybe expulsion. That all sounds terrible.
Sometimes when Dad travels for work and Mom has a particularly long day my Gigi (that’s Mom’s mom) will come over to let us all go potty. The last time Gigi had to do this, she brought her dog Maisy. This was my first official meeting with her. I love everyone, and as I have said before, with each new person, there is potential for a friend. Gigi put Maisy out back then let us out too. Scrappy and Lola know Maisy. No one plays, but no one argues either. They just explore the yard separately, boring! I was excited to meet her. I ran straight to her. She showed me her pretty smile, she let me hear how deep her voice can get when she growls. I was impressed, so I pushed further. “PLAY WITH ME”!!! She was not impressed by my tenacity. She charged at me and gave me a piece of her mind, which was clearly saying “leave me alone you annoying little….”. Do you think I am going to take that from a tiny wiener looking dog? Heck yes! I simply sat down. I could have made a fuss, she was small enough that I could have powered over her. But, why? What would I have gained? Someone would have been hurt, Gigi would have left, which means I get locked back up in the kitchen, and that doesn’t sound fun, at all.
It takes two to argue. Side bar, can you picture someone arguing alone, that’s a hilarious visual. This is maybe, one of the best life lessons. Why, you ask? I’ll tell you, it changes your perspective, your attitude, and your well being. Arguing because you don’t agree, you’re annoyed, or someone won’t listen, will not change their perspective. It will lead to frustration, hostility, pain (physical and/or emotional), and maybe a bruised relationship, or worse. Arguing is pointless. It only makes the entire situation worse, when you are reacting in the heat of the moment. Let things simmer down. Consider approaching the situation when neither person is worked up about it, maybe just let it go if it is unimportant. Sure the squeaky wheel gets the grease, but remember, it is likely to be replaced if it continues to squeak.