Some years ago, I read a short piece by one of our long-time contributors, Barbara Dobbins, talking about dogs she knew, including one of her own, who had achieved the age and status to have earned a “permanent hall pass.” I was so charmed by the piece that I asked Barb if we could publish it here as a blog post and she agreed.
At the time it was published, my darling Otto was five years old – in the absolute prime of his well-behaved life. And today, he is 13 years old, and I renew his permanent hall pass every few months, as it gets stained and torn with use.
Don’t get me wrong: Otto is still a Very Good Dog. If dogs are being asked to perform a variety of behaviors on cue and the prize is treats, he can still sit, down, stand, and back up faster than any other canine on the property. He wouldn’t dream of chewing up our human things, or jumping up on people rudely. And he’s always going to be WDJ’s top model – knowing just how to jump up on an object and hit a pose and even find his light.
But there are a number of things that dogs are not allowed to do here in my home or on my property, and Otto has decided, “To heck with it, I’m doing them!” And, precisely because of his long and distinguished record, we now look the other way when he sneaks a cookie off the coffee table, snarfs down the horse poop we come across on the trail, digs in the winter vegetable raised beds, or chases the mail truck along our fenceline, barking furiously the entire time. Oy! That last one is hard for me, especially because I am hosting an impressionable young foster dog who would absolutely love to join Otto in this fun activity (Coco now gets shut in my office at a certain point in the afternoon when the mail truck usually makes its rounds). But he has earned these privileges, in honor of his many years of near-perfect behavior.
I don’t know how much more time I will get with Otto, but I’m not going to spend any of it yelling at or even being annoyed by his new naughty behaviors, that’s for sure.
Do any of your dogs have a permanent hall pass?
Yes, my 14 year old Sammy has earned his Hall Pass!!! When I called Animal Rescue New Orleans to see if they still had the cute black and white border collie mix, they told me that he was considered “feral” and would require a very special person to adopt him. I asked if I could come see him and they said yes! During our visit the lady told me I would have to get the dog to show a submissive posture before I could leave with him……all I did was start scratching his tummy, and he rolled right over on his back!!! This was the beginning of a very special relationship with my first “Heart Dog”! He is normally well behaved, but these days when we go outside and I call him to come in, he looks at me, flips his head and runs in the opposite direction. He also has a mat on the sofa that he is supposed to get on when he jumps up, but I’ve found him scooched over on the cool leather some mornings. I don’t scold him for his “oversights”—-he had a stroke in January of this year and a mini stroke in October and I’m just thankful the Lord reversed all of his negative symptoms except a slight tilt to his head. I am grateful for every day that Sammy is still here with me!!!
Absolutely, I have two seniors who are allowed to do pretty much what they want. However, I have to say they really aren’t naughty. They were a major pain when they were both young and 6 months apart in age. It was like having two adolescent boys (rights of passage). I would NEVER do that again. But as it turns out they both evolved into well-mannered, loving companions. My oldest was diagnosed with cancer last spring so he has complete carte blanch; extra treats and soft toys to carry around. Special time alone with me and grandma. I can’t even get upset about the occasional accidnet. He tries so hard. Aging is an interesting process to observe and go through. My GSD for most of his life was somewhat ambivalent toward humans, he never solicited affection or attention. When he turned 12 and until he passed at 14 he never left my side. I am so grateful for the time I have had with my friends.
My two little ones have always had a hall pass. I adoped them at 2 and 4 years of age a month apart. Both were neglected and abused and the vet suspected Hutch, my LaCocker, had been tortured at some point. Bodie, my pom, could barely walk; I suspect he had spent most of his life in a crate. One was found wandering the streets of Chicago, and the other was picked up by animal wardens as he wandered the streets of Indianapolis after Christmas. I doubt they had ever been loved or socialized as they knew nothing but fear when they came to me. After 5 years, they crave affection and give it freely to me. I doubt Bodie will ever trust any one else although Hutch now loves everyone he meets. They do get away with a lot, I have to admit, but I am old and retired so I have the time.
How old is CoCo? Have you found a home for CoCo yet?
She’s about 10 months. I think we have a home for her… more news will appear here when it’s clear 🙂
NK
My Raindrop, a Chow mix rescue, was always given a hall pass. She was 2-1/2 to 3 when we adopted her, but she always seemed an “old soul”. So laid back and calm, her nickname was “Dog Ross” (as in Bob). She loved walks, never paying attention to the antics of any other dog, and only barked when she really had a good reason. Her favorite spot, no matter the weather, was the area under the table on our back porch. I added a thick crate pad, and several big towels to make her a “canopy bed”. She never counter surfed, always sat upon request, we never saw her jump on anyone, and I never had to train her. Sadly, lost her to lymphoma in 2018.
My dog Dooley will be 14 shortly has a hall pass. He’s been so good his whole life, that if he does anything wrong, it’s ok. It’s rare that he does, but he’s earned that right.
As my babies age I to start to overlook things that I would not let them get away with when they were younger. They have totally earned it.
Yes, my 16 1/2-year-old terrier mix has one. He was a stray adopted from a large city shelter in 2005. While in the shelter, he was attacked by another dog. He came home with distemper, it turned out. He is the best ratter/mouser I have ever seen, beating the cats to the critters on the occasions when a cold winter leads them to find a way into the house. We don’t know what his past history was, but he is a wonderful family dog. This past year he has moved into “old man” status; he has some health issues, and he can sometimes be found staring off into space. But he still jumps and spins when the leash comes out, even though he lets me know after about 1/4 mile that he’s ready to turn back toward home. His housetraining is less consistent than it was and he often needs to be carried up the stairs at night. He gets to do what seems right to him now, even when we need to wait for him to decide to move out of a doorway or the hall.
My oldest border collie has a permanent hall pass! He gave his all to me in his younger years as my competition agility dog and now as a retiree can do anything he wants! He is my best friend and heart dog. 😄
yes my 55lb rescue (will be 15 in January) gets a hall pass. Due to arthritis he doesn’t have to sit for a treat and he gets to pick which way we go on our walks in the neighborhood. Today he is at the oncologist getting ultrasound and xray to determine if his oral malignant cancer has spread (has been having bouts of diarrhea/vomiting and just doesn’t look well). He is everything to me, seen me thru my husband’s death and the loss of 2 other dogs I had adopted since adopting him when he was 7mths old. Don’t know how I will handle losing him as I suspect the time is coming up 🙁
Just keep in mind that somewhere “out there” someone is waiting for a good home. My Suzy girl (13) survived Lyme Disease although I think it created immune problems the last year – she was put to sleep in Sept. The house was so very empty without her – even tho my cat tried her best to fill the void – I went to the local shelter & found Axel – hes 8 – about half Suze’s size (she was 80 lbs) and he is an absolute love. Very good manners & sweet – of course Juliet (cat) does NOT like him but she didnt like Suzy either. Hes VERY intimidated by her.
I, like you, thought so much about losing Suze for months – making the decision is the hardest. Whether you know in your heart its right or not. Just know many, if not all on this blog do understand & feel for you.