THE LOSER… 3rd edition
He loves to show off… He usually waits until someone is watching him before he begins to act cool, hoping to gain their admiration. He especially likes it when you tell him to his face how good he is.
He’s become such a show off that people will actually encourage him to show off his authentic skills. I’m as guilty as anyone, I do the same thing. It’s gotten so bad that I even have begun to have pride in his skills.
It’s not like they’re mine, but I do have to take either credit or blame, due to the fact that I helped him start and encouraged him in the beginning. He’s like a drug addict now. Larry the loser. He just can’t get enough of the accolades and pushes himself past the point of exhaustion in the process of showing off.
A few weeks ago there were people over and I could see he wanted to show off… again. I couldn’t resist as I stated earlier and in an excited voice I told him, “Larry”! – “Get your ball”! He tilted his head to one side, staring at me with intensity.
I continued with enthusiasm, “Where’s your ball”? – “Get your ball”!!! He started looking around in a frenzy in search of his ball. I knew where it was, so I pointed in the direction of the ball and said it again, “Go get your ball”!
He spotted it and attacked it in an aggressive manner. Right as he hit the torn and chewed soccer ball with his chest at a dead run he started growling… He thinks that adds to his soccer prowess.
He started aiming the ball around the backyard around trees, shrubs, furniture, and columns at full speed. He let it bounce into the house, which causes the ball to bounce up enough to get his snout underneath it like a seal. He nudged it back up into the air a few times as the ball changed directions back towards the backyard, growling and barking at the ball for good measure.
“Good boy Lar”! I said with excitement and encouraging words, which makes him go that much harder at his ball of delight. The friends we had over were impressed, “Wow”! – “That’s unbelievable”! – “He’s really good”! they acknowledged with amusement. “Yeah, he’s pretty good”! – “He loves to show off”! I added with as much humility as I could muster.
Larry is not so different than the rest of us, he seeks and is gratified by the acknowledgment of others. Part of who Larry is, seems to be defined by what he can accomplish with his physical or mental skills.
I can’t say I haven’t done some things in this life for the very same reasons. As if Larry’s actions demonstrate part of the human pride condition, his best friend and companion Lola, who he sleeps with every night, shows another trait practiced by some of us two legged creatures.
Often when Larry springs toward his ball, Lola runs beside him biting his ears and neck area… She can’t play ball like Larry does… She is jealous of his accomplishments. Lola seeks attention and acknowledgment in their dog world like most of us do in our human life.
When the focus of our lives seeks to be measured in the flesh, instead of in the heart for God to judge, we act suspiciously like the creatures that walk on four legs…
And bark at the moon…
bill (cycleguy)
Friday, January 6, 2012 @ 4:32 am
I find myself like Larry way too often…struggling to do things, not for the attention but just because they need done. I like those pats on the head and the treats that come from a job well done. Good story floyd.
Floyd
Friday, January 6, 2012 @ 6:54 am
I hear you Bill, it’s nice to get a pat on the back and an “attah-boy” every now and then. They can become addictive I’m afraid, nice to know I’m not alone! Thanks!
Jennifer
Friday, January 6, 2012 @ 4:40 am
Cute post, Floyd. I find myself a little like Larry, too. If I write a good blog post, and I don’t get any comments, I start to panic. I might even tweet the post just to make sure everyone’s has gotten a chance to see it. I have to constantly remind myself in Whom I find my worth.
Dogs are the best–they teach us so much about life (mostly, the ways we need to imitate them!)
Floyd
Friday, January 6, 2012 @ 7:02 am
Thanks Jennifer. How right you are, dogs have true hearts for the ones they love, not a lot of judgmental hypocrites in the dog world! I was thinking about you and your family just yesterday, sorry I missed wishing you seasons greetings.
Rose
Friday, January 6, 2012 @ 6:29 am
Very cute! Dog spelled backward is God..as my sister recently pointed out! They love. And are lovable even when commanded to show off. Larry and Lola..very lucky indeed!
Floyd
Friday, January 6, 2012 @ 7:03 am
Thanks Rose. Now I feel bad for making him show off! If we could be so obedient to our master!!!
Jason Stasyszen
Friday, January 6, 2012 @ 12:17 pm
Oh man, I never want to be the one nipping and biting those who are moving forward (even if they are showing off). I’ve seen people like this and it seems like such a miserable existence. Instead of finding what they were made to do and what would give them joy, they try to stop everyone else. Nice reminder. Thanks Floyd.
Floyd
Friday, January 6, 2012 @ 1:19 pm
Thanks Jason. I need to remind myself every so often. Sometimes my little buddy Larry seems to have things together better than me!
Hazel
Friday, January 6, 2012 @ 7:48 pm
Amazing post especially since I can relate to a dog showing off and wanting praise. Luke, one of our dogs is selfish and will not allow Buck to play with the dog toys. Buck comes to me and wants assurance that he is still loved. I tell him, “Poor Baby.” Old Smokey could care less, he does not fetch or play much just loves to eat. Hurray for Lola who at least encourages Larry. We need acceptance and praise too – – all of us do.
Floyd
Saturday, January 7, 2012 @ 7:25 am
Thanks Hazel. It is interesting how every animal has a unique personality just like us. Your right, we all are hard wired for some type of emotional connection to others… Thanks for your connection here. It’s always appreciated.
Nancy
Friday, January 6, 2012 @ 9:44 pm
“Me….ME….MEEEEE!” It’s all about MEEEE…well, isn’t it?
When my kids were young and began to try to command attention, whine, gripe or complain, I’d tell them, “It’s not all about YOU!” Then I would use it as a teaching moment. (not to ignore their needs but to create a balance)
As they’d get older and would be 1/2 way thru a story or some such thing, I’d be quiet. Suddenly, their heads would raise, eyes meet mine, then they would stop and sheepishly say..”I know, it’s not all about me”…………just too funny!
Godliness with contentment IS great gain—> God does arrange for the acknowledgments and reinforcements, BUT I’ve noticed that they rarely seem to come from where I think they should. Enjoyed the story very much!!! Thanks
Floyd
Saturday, January 7, 2012 @ 7:28 am
Thanks Nancy. You are a profoundly wise mom and Christian. It is a wonderful understanding in life when we realize “it’s not all about me.” When we seek fulfillment only in our flesh we’ll always be disappointed, Godliness with contentment is great gain, thanks for the reminder.
thefisherlady
Sunday, January 8, 2012 @ 6:29 pm
~and bark at the moon! I love this!
great post and so true!
Floyd
Sunday, January 8, 2012 @ 9:48 pm
Thanks Susan. I try to avoid a full moon!