Video from The Dodo on YouTube
A Mud Riot!
My first, second, and third-time views of the video made me laugh uncontrollably. Toby’s antics are something you must experience and also walk in the footsteps of the owner. Toby’s white fur nearly submerged in the mud pit made the owner chuckle. It is hard to be stern with a dog when you are tickled at the way they respond. I found this video so easy to relate to with the dogs I have had in my life. You might, too, particularly if your dog has escaped for greener pastures or muddy ponds.
The surrounding snow implies this is not the hot mud pit is some expensive spa, but just the great outdoor. Toby is obviously a fun-loving dog, despite his owner’s request to come out but not too close. It is hard, when listening, if the owner is appalled at his behavior yet secretly wishing the mud pond were warmer
Leader of the Pack
This group of dogs instinctively look up to Toby. They appear to want to follow in his footsteps, and they try. Is Toby an instigator? Absolutely! Based on several of their attempts to test the squish goo before being called back to the shore.
Toby’s thick white fur, visible at the beginning of the video, matches the surrounding snow. In short order, the frolic turns Toby into the Loch Ness Monster, diving deep and bobbing up coated with oozing mud. His expressive eyes peeking and blinking, almost flirting with the owner to come and play. Later you see part of the fun is enhanced when he dives to fetch items tossed in.
Take the Long Way Home
This activity is not like a once-and-done dip to relax or cool off from a long walk. Nope! This is pure fun of a variety that calls to a selected few, and they enjoy it with wild abandon. When the owner indicates enough is enough, she says bye to Toby and then leaves with the other pups.
Toby, looking more like a hot fudge sundae than a furry pompom, follows behind the pack at a slower pace. This launches the extended tease with the coaxing and pleading of the owner to come along, Toby. This adds to the situation’s hilarity and fun.
It reminds me that dogs live for the moment. They enjoy the world for what it is and discover ways to entertain themselves. Going outdoors day, even in your own yard, opens the world as not seen the day before, because something changed. For dogs, each day is like a rich discovery, yet somehow comfortably familiar. People might benefit from such observations, like stopping to smell the roses. I suspect Toby would carry them to the mud in winter, spring, summer, or fall.
Easy Clean-Up, Right?
Doubtful! It occurs to me that at some point, Toby will want to come home to snack, take a nap, or both. I doubt that would be possible without a thorough clean up effort. The volume of mud that I suspect would come off Toby with this one frolic would take some time to clean up. He’s a dirty dog with a big heart and independent nature.
The owner recognizes that playing in the mud is a part of Toby. When you were young, did you ever make mud pies with your buds and feel the thick ooze through your fingers. I bet Toby loves that sensation, don’t you?
Love your dog, and they will make you laugh. I bet you will forget your troubles, when you live through the eyes of a dog!