I was feeding the dogs at Widget's House yesterday evening when I looked across the room and deaf Tyler doing his pathetic routine. He is one of the original 'drama queens' at the ranch ... a dog who can look tragic in an instant, simply to get you to envelop him in your arms out of sympathy. (Clever, eh?) He also can appear thoroughly conflicted -- so he'll have his tail tucked between his legs and a haunted look on his face, like he's scared to death of you. But when you drop to your knees and open your arms wide, he'll run right to you ... with his tail still tightly tucked.
A minute later he's running around, tail up, being goofy. Then he's back to interminable sadness, as if the weight of the world is on his Pointer shoulders. I tell him he really does not need to worry about the Dow plunging 237 points, Pakistan unraveling or global warming. But fret he does ... until absolute joy overtakes him. We never quite know what he's thinking. As Alayne likes to say, "Tyler lives in Tyler's own little world."
And what you see in the photo is what he does at dinnertime on occasion ... sitting hunched over in the middle of the room, looking and acting pathetic, hoping to get fed before anyone else does. No, it doesn't work, but it doesn't keep him from trying!
Tyler, you are an amazing actor!!!Hollywood, here I am!!!
Precious photo!!
Posted by: Nina | November 28, 2007 at 07:39 AM
...and the Oscar goes to the wonderful Tyler. Tyler can really grap your heart with this look.
Posted by: Shirley & James, Portland, OR | November 28, 2007 at 12:16 AM
Perhaps part of "Tyler's own, little world" includes "white noise," similar to tinnitus, that only he can hear. Some hearing impairments cause this, and it can be loud at times. I imagine that would be confusing to an animal.
Posted by: A friend | November 27, 2007 at 12:37 PM
Tyler does look troubled (about dinner time) but luckily a hug and some attention to the drama dog is a soothing antidote.
What an amazing little act he has going! ha..ha!
Posted by: Boundforglory | November 27, 2007 at 09:50 AM
Hey, that looks familiar - my dog Buster has the same act going too! And as soon as I say, "aww, poor Buster, what's wrong?" he's all wagging his tail and acting like the happiest dog on earth - go figure!
Posted by: Katy | November 27, 2007 at 09:19 AM
O yes, the "nobody loves me, everybody hates me, i'm gonna eat some worms" look? My girl does this very skillfully! She has a talent for drooping her lower eyelids and making her eyes seem very red and teary - almost like a Basset hound, only she is a Corgi-mix (Don't ask me, I don't know how she does this - there is nothing wrong with her eyes). It always happens when I've been reading/working/studying for a while and not given her any attention in, say 10 minutes. No sound - just a teary, red-eyed stare from below the brows. And unfortunately(!!) it works every time - who can resist it?
It is very hot and dusty here, yesterday's snow photo's looked very inviting. Hugs to Tyler - he works for them! Warm greetings to all.
Posted by: bregda south africa | November 27, 2007 at 09:16 AM