The Difference In Observation Skills Between Men and Dogs!!!!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

My title might be a little misleading. Right off the bat, I want to say I am not an expert on men, but I have been married to one for 33 years, so let’s just say I know the difference between one man’s observation skills and my dog’s observation skills. On that point, I am an expert.

 

Recently, while my DH was away on a business trip, I bought a large, new rug for our bedroom.  It had been a long time since we had a rug in our bedroom and our hardwood floor had been bare for quite some time.  Anyway, I brought in the huge new bedroom rug and put it down myself. When my husband came home, he walked in the bedroom, stood on the rug and looked at me and said, “Uh oh, you are smiling. What is new?” and proceeded to look high and low for a change. Meanwhile, Vern came in, immediately spotted the new rug, took some good long sniffs of this new thing, and even executed a perfect roll on it, and still my DH could not figure out what was different. Please tell me how you miss a large rug directly under your feet that is being used by your 90 pound Mary Lou Rettondoodle for gymnastics practice within five feet of you?  He did finally notice and said it looked a lot like the rug we had before. The old rug was a vibrant green and the new rug is cream, but I gave him points for knowing we had an old rug. In our house, dogs are more observant.

 

The last time I had my hair colored, it took him two days before he said anything.  He looked up one day and said, “Hey, I like that color. When did you get that done?” I said in response, “Do you remember that day when I said I was going to get my hair colored at the beauty shop and then later that day came home and announced I was back from getting my hair colored at the beauty shop?  Well, that was the day I had it done.”  All he said was, “ It sure looks good! ” Fudge and Vern knew the minute I walked in the door that something was different and they took several minutes to give me a proper smell test.  I swear Fudge knows just by what outfit I am putting on in the morning, if I am leaving the house with or without her.  On the other hand, I could come out of the bedroom wearing my daughter’s wedding dress and veil and tell my husband I am ready to go out for dinner and all he would say is, “How does Pizza Hut sound?”  In our house, dogs are more observant.  

 

Our biggest fight happens almost daily about the garbage. Taking the garbage to the trash is his one big job. Getting him to do it is my big job. He has spent years perfecting his Operation Trash Avoidance Techniques and is now at the top of his game.  He never admits he sees the trash and is now skilled enough to look you right in the eye and say, “What trash?” even if the dogs are circling it like raccoons and you are standing directly over it and pointing.  No matter where that large 30-gallon bag is placed, he has trained himself to maneuver around it and leave it behind as he walks out the door. I started out nicely asking him to take out the trash and have had little success with that route. I am at the point now where I find myself wondering if I threw it directly in front of him while he is walking out the door, and perchance caused an accident or worse, would it be considered Justifiable Homicide? The funny thing is my DD asked me to write something to read at her wedding and I even referenced taking out the trash.  Here is a small part of what I wrote and read to my daughter and son-in-law.

 

 

 

The second piece of advice is to lower your expectations.  I don’t mean on the big things like who handles the finances, deciding where to live, how many kids to have, or when to let your parents move in with you in their retirement years. I mean the little stuff and here is an example.  If you are always reminding your mate to take out the trash, don’t think because you are now married that it is going to change.  Just keep your expectations low and then you are pleasantly surprised if the trash goes out and not upset if it doesn’t.  It is like going to Best Buy and buying something “as is” and then expecting it to be perfect.  Consider this person you are marrying today to be “as is” and your life will be so much easier.  I am certainly not an expert on marriage, but I will tell you that I have been married for 32 years and our expectations are so low now that we have never been happier.

 

 

My husband kept his poker face on and just smiled like he didn’t have a care in the world.  If he knew I was talking about him, he gave no outward sign. What he did do, however, was wipe a tear from his eye and tell me he loved my speech and was very proud of me when I sat back down.  So, I guess in the scheme of things, I should take my own advice and realize I got a real deal with my “as is “ purchase, even if his observation skills need fine tuned from time to time. Besides, I really think Fudge and Vern might be the better candidates to take out the trash, since they are very good at noticing it the minute that bag leaves the can. Eventually, most of the trash would get to the curb. In our house, dogs are more observant.

 

What does all this mean? Well, I think I put my finger on another reason why I love my dogs so much. In my husband’s defense, he works long hours and comes home tired with a lot of things on his mind.  Grownups have so many responsibilities, but dogs don’t have to go to work, make the mortgage payment, mow the grass or fix the leak in the bathroom. They have all the time in the world to watch you and focus on you, because to them you are the universe. Everything you do is important to a dog because you are everything to them. I like that about dogs, a lot!  There really isn’t any way a mere mortal could ever compete with a dog’s observation abilities. In our world, dogs will always be more observant!

 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Tina, You do have a good point :)

Thanks, Camilla

Leslie, Train Halas to take it out :) Thank you!

[Tina, Clover, Plus 5 More]

Laurie, there are advantages to our husbands not noticing things.  Like answering "Did we get another dog?" or "Were did that table come from?".

[Camilla and Darwin]

Love the post Laurie, and you are so right. Dogs are the best!

[Leslie and Halas]

I try that same thing with the garbage, but I live alone, so it doesn't work.  Congrats on 33 years!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Allyson, Peri sounds like my Fudge. I swear she knows when I am leaving, where we are going in the car, and she too notices anything new. Vern is less observant, but he is a male...LOL!!

Jane, Amen to that....I would go nuts. LOL

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Dori, I loved every minute of your response! It sounds like you and your spouse have a system that works perfectly for you! BTW, you can tell everyone you are his trophy wife :) I love how seriously he mows his lawn!!

BruceGirl, LOL...that Donna is crazy!!!

Deanna, I hate getting gas too in my car. I let it go until I see the little red light. I would never make it in Earthquake country.

Anna, Well, they get points for taking it out when you tell them to do it :)

 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Jennifer, LOL...mine doesn't notice specks or big things :)

Dori, I hate to cook, so that would not be a very good threat for my DH...LOL

Ricki, You really are getting the hang of this responding stuff. I am very proud of you!! I love all of your LOL's and ROTFL's!!!

Traci, Thanks for the nice comments!!

Sherri, LOL

Kahlua, Wow...the laundry. He is a keeper no matter where he folds the stuff....haha!!!

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Laurie AS IS that is a great way to think of it. What if he's OCD (except for housework) nad you just scream sometimes. He will see a speck on the floor or worse theTV! Jump up and get it but he will not see the biggest change ever in the house? Maybe he sees it but doesn't want to be rude and say anything at that point-3 weeks later tell you he hates it. I loved your blog-the carpet was making me laugh pretty hard it's so true-Chloe notices ANYTHING out of place! Maybe she's spending too much time with daddy?? Myla well she just accepts everything as is!!

[Dori & Rua]

@Traci - no takie out the trash...me no makie dinner?

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Great blog Laurie!! ROTFL!!!! :) :) (How am I doing?) My DH really does TRY to please me! In fact, I tell him all the time how TRYING he is!! LOL!