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!