Leif loves cats. I love dogs.
We got a puppy that fit in the palm of our hand named Hershey. Eleven years later, Hershey still provides joy, delight, laughter, warmth, comfort, and healing to my sometimes sick belly.
In the mornings, Hershey responds to the command “pack time”, whenever we want to cuddle in bed together.
In the afternoons, when we need to run and errand and want to take the dog, we simply say, “Want to go to Costco?” Hershey races to the door.
If you think I spoil Hershey, you haven’t seen Leif behind closed doors. When he builds blanket nests for the dog on the couch. Or sneaks extra treats out of the cabinet. Or “accidentally” drops a piece of popcorn when Hershey is nearby.
But. Don’t. Be. Tricked.
To this day, Leif still reminds me that he wants a cat.
Now, he’s allergic to cats. I am, too.
But Leif wants a cat. I really think he just likes the idea of a cat, but that’s a discussion for another day.
I’m still not sure if it was frustration, desperation, or a creative moment, but Leif decided it would be funny to start training Hershey to act like a cat.
Over time, Leif has trained Hershey to raise his back like a cat, paw like a cat, and even play with cat toys.
But perhaps his greatest achievement is training Hershey to purr like a cat.
Not. Tricking. You.
Watch this:
Yep. Leif and I officially own a cat-dog.
He still won’t let go of idea of owning a cat (though I’ve managed to talk him off that ledge every allergy season).
Somewhere along the way we discovered one of the secrets to a creative compromise.
How can we create win-wins?
How can we find common ground in different perspectives?
How can we develop creative solutions to impossible problems?
Let me pause and ask you: Who in your life are you struggling with or feeling tension?
How can you develop a creative compromise?
How can you find common ground though your perspectives differ?
How can you find create solutions to impossible problems?
How can you make the dog purr?
xoxo,
Margaret
