In Asa’s update yesterday, he neglected to mention that his goggles give him a superpower. X-ray vision? No. The ability to see in virtual reality? No. Asa’s goggles give him the superpower to make me invisible! At least that’s how I feel going places with Asa now. When we arrive all we hear is, “Look at the cute puppy in the goggles!” “Awww…he lost an eye!” “Can I pet him?” Asa happily responds to being in the spotlight by enthusiastically greeting his new friends. Meanwhile, I politely sit there being completely ignored.

This isn’t the first time I’ve felt invisible. Years ago when Asa was a puppy this happened a lot too. I even wrote a post back in 2015 to remind humans of The Little Courtesies of Daily Life. So today I will give a refresher on the polite greeting of an older dog with an annoying little brother.  And yes, I do realize this is written about puppies, and Asa is by no means a puppy at 8 years old. Surprisingly though, the rules still apply to him in goggles!

First, when you see an adorable puppy, or in this case a dog wearing goggles, do not start squealing and gushing from miles away about how cute the dog is.  Puppies are inherently self-absorbed little creatures, who know they are cute and use that cuteness to their advantage.  Please do not encourage this thought process by reinforcing it with your high pitched adoration.  Instead control your enthusiasm.

Second, when approaching do not immediately focus all your attention on the puppy giving him the misconception that you came out especially to see him.  Rather, ignore the puppy!  Pet the well behaved older dog first.  Clearly he’s who you’ve waited all your life to meet.  The cuteness of puppies quickly wears off, even ones wearing goggles, but the handsome maturity of a dog remains.  Oh and most importantly when approaching, never announce, “I want to pet that one!” while pushing the older dog out of the way.  Seriously, that has happened to me more than once. But I won’t take it too personally.  The offenders were children, and therefore have the same narcissistic perspective on life as a puppy!

Third, if you happen to forget your manners and lavish all your attention on the puppy, do not suddenly notice the older dog and say something well-meaning but insulting to him.  Some phrases to avoid are, “oh he’s cute too,” “aren’t you lucky to have such a cute brother,” and the dreaded “oh I didn’t see you!”  

I admit it is easy to succumb to a puppy’s innate cuteness, and it isn’t every day that you see a goofy Golden strolling down the beach wearing goggles.  But these essential rules of basic social etiquette should be learned, and with practice will become a part of your every day life.  As Lillian Eichler Watson once wrote in The Standard Book of Etiquette, “To be thoughtful of others, to be gentle and kind, to be generous, agreeable, friendly and above all fair – that is the best manners anyone can have.  Make that your guiding principle in all contact with others, social or otherwise.”  Indeed, that is the Golden way!

For those who need a visual to understand, this is how most people see Asa and me on the beach now. I added the arrow to help you spot me.

Chuck Billy, despite being on my blindside, I can still see you making that face at me. That’s not very polite!