Joy Stealer

My pound dog Tish growled at me the other day. I was stunned. We've had her for over a year. With my family of three, she is overly submissive. You come near her and she rolls on her back just waiting for a good rubbing. She's so needy for attention. We're her fourth home. Her bottom teeth are missing. She quickly dominated the lab we've raised since she was puppy with the food and our attention. Tish has had a rough life. Occasionally our fence gate is left open. Hallie, our lab, jets out and disappears off into wonderland. Tish? She lounges on the deck. To me it seems she's thinking, "Hallie, dude, you have no clue what it's like out there. Now this, this is the good life."
Cesar Millan, Dog Whisperer, miracle worker, emphasizes the need for walking your dog half an hour in the morning and 45 minutes in the evening. Helps to wipe out bad behavior. So much of what he says sets off light bulbs, "duh moments." Tune in. It's amazing stuff.
Well, I started the morning walk with Tish to calm some of this neediness. It tends to be overpowering. It had been ten mornings in a row and this dog craves it, anticipates it every day. Each morning she bolts for the door, wagging wildly, jumping, knocking into walls. On day 11, there just wasn't enough time to fit it in. On day 12, morning came and still no time. By late afternoon she was out of her mind. My son and I were ready to walk out the door again without her, and she promptly let us know enough was enough. She blocked the door. I called her to go in her room. (She is normally very content to hang out with the other dog in this room while we're gone.) She trotted near the room and bolted right back for the door. I called her again, same response, as if to say, "Listen, lady, I need my time here." I found her collar under her mass of fur and gently pulled her toward the room. She didn't budge. She hunched into the ground. I pulled a little harder. She growled at me! I proceeded to get behind her to pick her up. She's 65 pounds. Huffing and puffing, I lifted the front part of her body and dragged her, back legs resisting, to the room.
I took Tish for her walk this morning. She was overjoyed as we headed for the door. She's been so content ever since that walk. I stole her joy those last two days. I'm wondering what is my one joy that I could take each day that would set the tone to help me live a more contented, joyful, peaceful, kinder day. I've learned from Tish this is worth fighting for.