OK, now I know my dog is cute.  TOO CUTE, as Mike would say, and as evidenced by the picture above.  But here’s what I don’t get: when I’m out walking Oreo along the lovely Merrimac River, some people I pass compliment her (saying such things as, “Aww, hey there cutie!” or “Hi puppy!” then proceed to whistle at her, as if they’re calling her…then they just keep on walking.  It’s pretty obvious that she’s still a puppy who’s learning how to act calmly in public, and I’m trying my best to train her not to jump up on people.  But when we’re walking briskly down the esplanade with Oreo at my side and some stranger whistles at my dog, she wants to play with them (quite understandably), which causes her to break her stride and start jumping up or weaving all over the place.  The way I see it, if you’re gonna whistle at my dog and get her attention, you had better stop to pet her.  Otherwise, you’re just being mean and taunting her.  I’m sure you all don’t mean to tease her and get her all riled up, but you do, which doesn’t help me train her to walk calmly by my side.  Make up your minds, people: either pass us by with a nice head nod or a friendly “Hello” and keep on walking, or stop to ask to pet the cuteness known as Oreo.  Enough of this senseless whistle-n-walk.  In the words of the great Dr. Buchler: Be less dumb.

On a lighter note, Oreo in that raincoat is one of the cutest images I’ve ever seen.  And her eyes saying, “OK, really?  Seriously??  Honestly???”: just priceless.