Here we are, between the seasons of gratitude and giving. 
Somehow I don’t believe there should be only a season to behave this way and such traits should be practiced year-round.
I am an observant dog, and I notice people are just a lot more rude and mean these days! Not so much around here, out in the northern mountain back-country – well, there aren’t too many people any way. 
But I see on the news, TV, social media and college campuses – people are nasty!
Now when I was a pup, that behavior would get a quick snarl and a nip if need be, and we learned to treat others with respect.
Now even if you’re polite, but stand up for what is right and good, you still run a good chance of offending the delicate sensibilities of some self-absorbed nitwit!
I’m a smart dog, but I don’t understand this loony mentality: be rude to others, then totally offended by others?? 
Now there is a time to fight, and I am sure the dog to do it. I will defend my own, stand up for truth, repel all evil, and those who test me will know they got the full grit of a real Heeler!
Yet, I think the bible had it right – do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
When did people quit teaching their young such basic manners? I think they need to go back to the manual.
It is time, especially going into the season of hope and light, to bring a world gone crazy back to the basics. Pups must be taught respect, kindness, politeness, honor to elders… and more than a few older pups need to learn this too.
I was taught manners, but still daily must practice being a kinder, gentler soul.
I constantly modulate nips and yips with smiles and humor, thus giving others the opportunity to pet a dog. That makes everyone happy I’ve noticed. And they smile too.
Defend what is right, but never reverse civility to lawlessness.
In addition to cookies, gifts and beautiful pines, this would be a good time to plan for kindness. Watch your words and attitude.
You’ll get paws up and big dog smiles when you “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
I’ll be joining the holiday preparations – getting a tree, hanging lights outside, making and sampling cookies, licking the cheeseball, herding cats from under the tree, sniffing presents for the ones with treats, and always trying to be a blessing.
As always, I attempt to balance being both family friendly and yet wildly troubling to bad people.
Some of my ideas, I would not want “done unto me” , so I keep practicing!
