A Test of Will

It is finally over! The nightmare move and six weeks with no phones and so no computer. The kids are delighted, they did not care one whit about not having phones or computers...they had freedom!

The change in lifestyle has served to remind me of one of the basic tenants of the Lhasa Apso, specifically, "I want it my way." While it is a given that I go to great lengths to make my fur kids happy, there are a still a few rules around here. Although, you would not know it by talking with the resident fur kid population. While they readily accept basic ground rules, like we potty outside, they still rebel at the rules that curtail what they consider their inalienable rights as Lhasa Apsos. Those particularly include, "I can chew on whatever I want," "I can play with whatever I want," and most especially, "If I want it, it's mine". Those of you who share your life with a Lhasa Apso are intimately acquainted with the Lhasa's feelings in such matters. It is extremely difficult to change the mind of a Lhasa Apso about anything once it has made up its mind. Patience is not only a virtue but a necessity when dealing with an obstinate Lhasa Apso who has decided on a course of action that differs from your own.

I have been reminded of this Lhasa trait with a vengeance since our relocation. Some of the more hotly contested issues are 1) Chickens are not toys; 2) Squirrels do not come inside; 3) Lhasa Apsos do not climb trees and, the main item of contention; 4) We do not wake mom up a 2:00, 3:00 or 4:00 am to go outside and play.

Needless to say, the fur kids love their new environment, they adore the squirrels and other small wild life, they can spend hours watching the deer and playing in the woods, but they seem to have come to some erroneous conclusions about Lhasa Apso rights. Before the cold weather set in, and prior to the "let's move a squirrel in" decision on their part, I used to leave the door open so they could come and go as they pleased. Shutting the door to prevent them from "urging" local squirrels into my house did not set well with the fur kid crowd at all. However much it pleased me, they are not impressed. They were also extremely offended when I "urged" their new found roommates back outside with both annoyed and remorseless determination. The chicken thing is another bone of contention. One of their favorite pastimes is playing tag with each other and they, naturally, want to extend this joyous endeavor to everyone else they encounter. The chickens are not at all impressed with this favored activity and react very adversely, flapping, screeching and fleeing, to say the very least. Not only do the fur kids not understand their ungracious behavior, they are deeply indignant about my instance that they not attempt to play with the chickens. All of this not withstanding, their instantaneous and unanimous decision that it was not only acceptable but desirable to wake mom up at any hour of the night to go outside and play with whatever real or imagined entity happened to wander into the near vicinity has become a major obstacle to the peace and harmony of this household.

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