I have to be good now

[get the red out]

We got our sweet Layla 2 years ago in July, and it has been WONDERFUL! She is our angel. But one thing is having to change in my life, and that's how I watch sports, mainly my favorite college team (local and my Alma Mater). My husband has always been good at cursing quietly under his breath, which doesn't upset Layla; but not me, I give 'em Hell, the refs, the opposing fans, the opposing Coach. I can "cut a shyun" as they say back in the hills of KY where I grew up. But Layla looks up at me with such sad eyes and her ears go down. Last night she walked up to me and pushed her perfect little black nose against my leg as I started to let out a scorching diatribe coming through the door observing a debacle on TV.

Solution? I immediately started raging in baby talk. And Layla wagged her tail and came over to be petted. Last year (and the 2 prior) were easy since the team was so good and I didn't curse too much (and the football team was too bad to bother being upset over); this year I guess I'll be using impolite "mother-ease" to dampen my enjoyable mean streak. I think it's the soft little Border Collie side of Layla but she seems to think any harshly spoken words are directed at her, sweet thing. If she gets scolded for doing something wrong, she generally seems to know what she did and doesn't react as badly, with more of an "oops, I've done wrong" look.

Does anyone else have to curtail their sports watching behavior to keep from upsetting their pets?

[Curmudgeoness]

1. Poor Layla!

She just doesn't get it! That really would suck, to be yelled at and you have no idea why. I guess this isn't the worst thing that can happen. You will just have to mellow out. Pets alter our behavior all the time.

No pet has even changed my sports watching behavior since there are no sports I watch. But my cat has changed the way I walk around the house, especially when I have no idea where he is. He is always underfoot, so I have to be much more careful in where my foot falls, especially on steps, because if I am on the move, he comes running. Such a sweetheart!

[get the red out]

2. They do inspire change

But it's worth it.

[2theleft]

3. Sorry to be so late to reply,

but I just found this group!

My boxer, Carly, is very much like that. My boyfriend curses at the TV often when watching sports. Tonight it was the Cowboys game. He yelled a lot at our team. Carly doesn't go to him with the sad face, but to me...Climbs her 70 pound butt into my lap and puts her little head on my shoulder. It's like she's "mom, dad's mad, and it might be at me". Poor little thing. When he realizes she is upset, he comes over and loves her and then she is her usually goofy self.

[get the red out]

4. Sweet baby

They want to make sure to please us so much! She sounds so adorable, I like Boxers.

I exhausted myself with errands and got Layla tired playing before the Kentucky-Louisville game Saturday then Layla and I curled up for a nap during the game. The cuddling with a warm dog emotion was much nicer than the getting beat by the rival in a close game emotion, LOL.

[Helen Reddy]

5. Very sensitive they are.

I have a Pom who runs away if he even gets a whiff of unpleasantness, albeit real or imagained.

When calmer voices prevail, he comes roarin' back, head held high and ready for more mischief. He has taught me not to use so much "colorful" language.

[Walk away]

6. My Little Sammy taught me how to curse people out on the road in a proper British accent!

He was so frightened if I even said "jerk" under my breath. But "Fuck you sir! You are quite a giant asshole!" said with a cheery lilt and Sammy would wag his tail and be so happy.

It stuck and 15 years after my Sammy passed, I still drive around New Jersey happily saying "Pardon me Madame you are, indeed, a world class shit head" when ever I get cut off.

[2theleft]

7. That's awesome. Maybe I need to get my bf to work on his English accent!! n/t