Thursday, October 21, 2010

Is Your Dog an Optimist?

This question is raised courtesy of my daughter the 3rd year law student, who phoned last weekend, laughing about an article she read that week. It seems someone did a study of dogs, and determined that they can be optimistic or pessimistic. He based this upon observation of the dog and his food: if he checked his dish often, regardless of whether it was empty the last time he looked, then he is an optimist. If the dog sees his dish being filled, and doesn't bother to go check it out, he's a pessimist. (Did it not occur to this genius that the dog might just not be excited by Puppy Chow, and be holding out for a burger and fries?)

Thor is never fed from the table. No dog who's ever shared a house with me is, but especially not giant dogs, who, if permitted to be mannerless, will overrun the household.

That doesn't stop him from hoping, especially when Jeffrey brings home french fries for himself and his father.

Please? I haven't eaten in about an hour!

Oh, I hope Mom doesn't see this!

The last 2 cookies? They're not as good as fries, but they'll do!

See? Ever the optimist.

I thought you'd enjoy these pictures considerably than a shot of Thor's rump when he comes inside and promptly heads to his bowl to see if the magic food elf has put something in his dish other than those stinkin' Bites and Bones.

Happy Thorsday, everyone!

20 comments:

Pam said...

I new he would be an optimist! What a cutie pie.

Janet said...

Thor's an optimist and a gentleman. Look how gently he reaches for that french fry.

gMarie said...

I saw that article too and just thought - hmmm, food motivated or not? My dogs would all be optimists as they are very, very food motivated.

Wonder who took the photos of Thor getting fries at the table? Guess Mom doesn't mind all the time. g

ps - my security word is Panting - is that not totally appropriate?

Dexter said...

There is always room for french fries. I like the look on your face when you are getting a hand out. I am not supposed to get food from the table, but I know my grandpa is a push over so I just plop down next to him whenever he comes over.

PeeWee checks his bowl all the time because he is a greedy little piggie.

Slobbers,
Mango

Dawn said...

Happy Thorsday! Fuji will always work for food!

Big Dude said...

We're such push overs - we feed our dogs dinner scraps so now they sit and beg the whole time.

Pooch said...

Looks like Thor has father and son reeled in! Nothing to be pessimistic about at all! Good boy!
:)

Sue said...

Morgan and Noah are pessimists. They walk around with sad faces, sure that the other dogs are getting something they're not. The others are all happy little creatures.

SissySees said...

Sissy must be the ETERNAL optimist then. She carries her food bowl around and drops in here and there, just so WE know it is empty.

Maryissewfast said...

Absolutely! Jo rules the office and has us all trained to meet his every whim...it's a dog's life!

Breezy Point Mom said...

OH, based on these examples, our dog, Beau, is an eternal optimist for sure. He is always checking his bowl, and always inhabiting the kitchen when I am in there JUST IN CASE! It doesn't matter how seldom it actually happens, today could be his lucky day. So Thor has a kindred spirit in our Beau. This is a cute and clever post!

The Blonde Duck said...

Thor, please tell your mother not to beat me for not getting to send her the recipe last night. Please inform her Ben's new health kick and zest for jogging every night has had my entire life turned upside down.

Anonymous said...

Perfect Thorsday. I have two extreme jealous but optimistic dogs. Since they eat different kinds of food, they're always checking each other's bowls to see if anything was left behind.

Lapdog Creations said...

ha ha ha ha... love it Thor! ♥ Great post, great pics!

Diane said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Diane said...

Sorry I cannot spell!!! My name whatsmore!!!!

Thor could only be an optimist. Great photos. Diane

Unknown said...

Hah - I guess that must make me a total pessimist, Thor, coz I can never be bothered to get up to check ANYTHING if I'm in a comfortable position! :-)

Slobbers,
Honey the Great Dane

Mickle in NZ said...

Thor asks so politely - Zebby needs to take some lessons from him as he still uses his "poke at your human with outstretched claws" method. My hands look like I've battled with a Holly Tree.

Chef Bee said...

Dogs certainly have their own personalities. Great photos.

Plan B

monica said...

wonderful pictures!! hehe.. Bundy is an optimist too, just like the next giant :o))