Vacuums

America,

Living life as The Face of Boe must be quite challenging for our beloved Newfie. He does some pretty hilarious and strange things, which illuminate his distinct personality in our home.

Recently, he's developed a love and devotion for our vacuum. No, you didn't read that wrong, America, my dog loves my vacuum.

It began with a curiosity about the device that makes so much noise. One day, while I was vacuuming my baseboards with the hose attachment, he decided it was time to check it out. He came over and began watching me, evaluating what I was doing and why. This lasted for about three minutes. Then he moved closer and started sniffing the hose.

I don't get worked up over things that Boe does, generally. We want him to have a curiosity and interest in people and experiences (obviously within the realm of safety!). If we foster an attitude of fear, then he'll behave as a frightened dog behaves. No thanks.

He sniffed at the hose, so I held it up so he could sniff it better. He didn't seem to understand what all the fuss was about. I showed him how it felt, by putting the vacuum on his fur, so he could feel the suction.

America, at this moment, I wish I had a video camera on his face. His entire face lit up like a Christmas morning expression of joy and happiness. He started moving his body along the suction of the vacuum. America, Boe became convinced that the vacuum is a massage/brush device created for his pleasure.

You know what I now deal with, every time I get out the vacuum? An enormous Newfoundland who, quite pushily, wants to be vacuumed! Every. single. time.

To be fair, I love this! Newfie's shed like a son of a motherless goat. One time, I was scratching his chest, and about a cup of fur fell off of his body in thirty seconds or less, on to my arm. The fact that I have a hairy dog who wants me to vacuum him, helps me to cut down on the insane amount of sasquatch that develops all over my house, every single day (I sweep my kitchen and dining room every night, and every night there is at least a gallon ziploc bag worth of fur in those two small rooms). If I can vacuum it out of him, there is less to fall on the ground!

This has become a bit of a ritual with us. The vacuum comes out, and the dog comes around.

I hope that you have a dog who brings you such delight and laughter as The Face of Boe does!

On another note: today we celebrate the bravery of a small group of people who stood up for freedom, at great risk to their lives and financial security, and said "no" to one of the most powerful people in the world. Their bravery and sacrifice, began a tradition of standing up for justice and what is good. It is my hope, America, that you will honor this tradition of goodness in your lives, today and always. It is my prayer that America will never lose courageous people willing to sacrifice it all, for the benefit of others. Happy Birthday America!