I’m glad our quote this week isn’t, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” Mom has been teaching me a new trick for a few days now. I’d hate to think she’s just banging her head against the wall with it.
Wait. What?
She wants me to learn to stand on a little bench so when we visit the VA, my wheelchair friends will be able to reach me better. (Also, Mom won’t have to pick me up 859 times because apparently I am a fat, overgrown meatloaf, and I’m breaking her back.)
So I study.
Just like I studied my IQ treat hider.
And I practice.
Just like I practiced bowling.
And I’m learning.
Just like I learned to fly a plane.*
*Not an actual plane. And I’m not actually flying.
Next week, Mom will also be learning. She will be attending a webinar called The Heart of Picture Books where she will learn a new trick.
She will learn to have more heart in her writing. #olddognewtrickforsure Stories with heart are more likely to connect with readers and agents and editors. Heart is good in stories. Also in real life. Heart is good everywhere.
Learning is good everywhere, too. Even old dogs can learn new tricks.
Cupcake Speaks 
Comments on: "Inspirational Quote of the Week" (52)
I think that learning quote describes life as it is… if we know efurrything and there is nothing we can learn life will become boring and it is efurryday the same… so learning is not bad…even when the mama sometimes learns to fail better.. it’s learning too ;O))
I think this is why your parents do so many DIY projects at your house and yard, P. They are ALWAYS learning stuff from those projects. Lots of learning there!
Love and licks,
C
That’s really thoughtful of you to climb up on a stool so it’s easier for your friends to pat you on your cute noggin. Can you really bowl? Wow! Lady Caroline
Thanks, Lady C. I’ve been bowling for ages. I used to knock down water bottles, then Mom bought me real, live, plastic bowling pins. There’s a video on the bowling link. #nailingit
Love and licks,
C
Congratulations on learning to climb on your little bench, Cupcake. Anything that makes it easier for people to make a fuss of us is good!
I think it’s always fun to learn new things.
Thanks, C. I agree. If it helps people say I’m so soft and such a good girl and pet me and feed me, I am on board. Literally…
Love and licks,
C
Oh Cupcake you sure do a great job of popping up on that bench and it will be so nice for those who have trouble bending down to be able to give you a better head rub! It’s very considerate of you and your Mom. You are a very smart girl to learn so many things and as for being a meatloaf – if you are one – you are the CUTEST one I’ve ever seen!!!!
Love and Hugs, Teddy Bean
Thanks, TB. Mom is hoping I can transfer my skill to someplace besides our apartment. Sometimes, there can be distractions that my tiny brain can’t handle. We’ll find out next week when we test out the bench in real time.
Love and licks,
CupcakeBean
we are all always learning.
So true, KS. In the best way ever!
Love and licks,
C
Well, dogfriend. You’ve got that bench thing down. Or up! Or whatever. Kudos! And good luck to mom. You know how that old song goes ~🎶🎶🎶 Ya gotta have heaaaaaaart. Lots and lots and lots of heaaaaart🎶🎶🎶♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️ 😉
You guys are killin’ it!♥️
Thanks, G. GAH! Down. Up. Who knows? Down from the chair, up on the bench, down from the bench, up on the couch. My days are filled with ups and downs. Soon, Mom’s writing heart will grow 10 sizes.
Love and licks,
C
Learning is such tough work sometimes, Cupcake. But I’m so impressed that you can get up on a bench & be calm enough to visit a VA hospital & brighten patients’ days. I can’t imagine Chili or Sadie ever being calm enough to do that!
Thanks, PT. I will not pretend I am always calm, although, when Mom picks me up for friends to pet me, she always says I hang there like a big potato. Also, apparently I have my moments… I think that’s good… Right…?
Love and licks,
C
I am impressed beyond words with your video, Cupcake. Such a good girl. And the bench is a great idea to help the people at the VA hospital! I think your Mom already has a lot of heart!
Thanks, Pix. I know Mom’s heart because of rescuing me. I’m not sure about her writing heart because contrary to popular opinion, I can’t read. I’ll keep you posted about the bench idea. I’m hoping to get up there nicely and be a good girl, but I can’t rule out unexpectedly jumping on some old soldier’s lap. Surprise! #callanambulance
Love and licks,
C
You are such a pretty dog, Cupcake!!!
Boomer and Mom
Thanks, friends! That’s always what I’m aiming for…
Love and licks,
C
You don’t have to try hard…you are a natural! Boomer and Mom
I want to learn to do that, C. Is the bench going to get higher as you get better? I can’t see how you could get any better, you are perfect at it now. I am going to my first Agility Won class tonight. Maybe we will jump on benches. 🙂 ❤ ~Xena
Thanks, X. The bench is the perfect height, so it won’t get any higher. Wheelchair friends will be able to reach me perfectly if I stay on long enough. Paws crossed that I can pull it off. I do hope there are benches at agility! Have fun!
Love and licks,
C
I didn’t see any benches at agility last night, C, but there was lots of stuff even more fun! ~X
C…you learned a new trick! I am so delighted. Now the folks in the wheel chairs can visit with you. You are very clever and a role model to me. I will have to learn a trick with Tyebe as I’m never too old to learn. You deserve lotsa treats.my friend.
S
Thanks, S. If you guys learn a trick together, that would be amazing. I hope your mom records it so I can see. Tricks aren’t that tough to learn. Just keep trying and trying over and over.
Love and licks,
C
I wonder what kind of trick we can learn together?
Clever cookie!! You bring so much happiness in this world!!! Xo Johanna and Charley
Thanks, J and C. I am such a happy girl, I love sharing happiness with friends! It’s my favorite fun.
Love and licks,
C
I am impressed with your new trick. Keep up the good work.
Thanks, C. I have no choice. The bench is the only place to get treats these days….
Love and licks,
C
🙂
Cupcake, you nailed that bench sitting. And that upward look with those meltingly gorgeous chocolate brown eyes would capture any Vet’s heart. You sure got mommy enthused.
Thanks, KI. Even though your mommy is a dedicated cat person, she has a definite soft spot for doggies. It’s one of the million things I love about her.
Love and licks,
C
Wow Cupcake, you’re so clever. Nice job. So mom doesn’t mind dragging your bench around?
Thanks, M. The bench is lightweight plastic and weighs less than a pound. Apparently it’s easy to carry compared to my chubby self, so, yeah. Mom does fine with it.
Love and licks,
C
Cupcake! You are so very smart. Do you think we could learn how to do that?
~ nose nudges Bessie Pup.
P.S. My Margret And My Greg had meatloaf last night. It didn’t look anything like you. 😉
You girls could definitely pop up on a bench like me – especially when the bench is the only place to get a treat! #hellobench Thank you for checking the meatloaf. Personally, I don’t think I look like that at all… I’m more of a large baked potato.
Love and licks,
C
Wow! You’re really good at that trick! Hooray!
Thanks, C. That bench earns me lots of treats!
Love and licks,
C
I still learn something new almost every day and hope I never stop. You are doing awesome on your stool. The peeps in wheelchairs will be so happy!
Thanks, MK. We’ll be testing the bench at the VA next week! Paws crossed that it works.
Love and licks,
C
hello cupcake its dennis the vizsla dog oh hay wow yoo shoor ar a grayt lerner!!! i bet yoo wil hav this bentch thing masterd in no time!!! hay i hav herd that heart is gud dada sez that bak in the ayteez they wer wun of his fayvrit bands so i gess it cant hurt to hav gud myoozik in yore mamas storeez rite??? ok bye
Music! That explains it, D. All stories need a sound track. Heart it is! OK. Bye.
Love and licks,
C
Excellent *claps paws* You are a very clever doggie, Cupcake and it’s so touching that you do it also for your wheelchair furriends…now that’s my kind of heart ❤ I'm sure your mom will manage the heart stories, as every story that we read of you has a lesson and a heart ❤ Pawkisses for a Happy Week ahead 🙂 ❤
Thanks, Little B. I worked hard on my bench trick. Soon we will see if it works at the VA, like mom is hoping…
Love and licks,
C
Ryder is considerably bigger than you, so the residents at the nursing homes have an easier time reaching him…or they would if I could teach him to sit a bit closer!
Ryder is the perfect wheelchair size. Lucky dog. Lucky residents!
Love and licks,
C
Do you think Mom’s background as a school teacher is what keeps her with that thirst for knowledge?
I love that your wheelchair friends will be able to reach you, that’s a wonderful service you provide.
Thanks, J. Maybe it’s the teacher thing, but I like to think I am the reason that Mom is always getting new ideas to try. I’m very inspiring, in case you haven’t noticed…
Love and licks,
C
What a great job on the new trick!
Thanks, S and C. I’ll do just about anything for a treat. #foodmotivated
Love and licks,
C
Thank you so much for the inspiration!
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