Carolyn Holm

Dear Mom,
Am I supposed to do something with this thing?
XOXO Poppy

Dear Poppy,
Yes! You can ring that bell when you want to go outside!
Love, Carolyn

Dear Mom,
But I can just come to you, put my paw on your knee, and look up into your eyes to say I want to go outside.
XOXO Poppy

Dear Poppy,
But you also do that when your food bowl is empty. Or the water bowl is low. Or you want a snuggle.
Love, Carolyn

Dear Mom,
Yes! And it works!!!!!
XOXO Poppy

Dear Poppy,
After I’ve checked your food and water bowls. I’d just like to skip all that and go straight to the outside part. I don’t know why this is so difficult for you.  Other dogs can figure this out. Molly used this bell all the time.
Love, Carolyn

Dear Mom,
Molly loved it. 
XOXO Poppy

Dear Poppy,
You remember that! Yes, she did indeed, racing across the kitchen with the bell, tapping as she went, like it was a soccer ball. A little bit annoying at times, but effective.
Love, Carolyn

Dear Mom,
You said then that she had an advanced degree in Bell Ringing.
XOXO Poppy

Dear Poppy,
She did. She was an enthusiastic bell musician. It helped that she was a Terrier with OCD, but still, other dogs have figured this out.
Love, Carolyn

Dear Mom,
Do you want me to be a Bell Musician?
XOXO Poppy

Dear Poppy,
I just want you to tap the bell if you need to go out.
Love, Carolyn

Dear Mom,
Is that why you hold my paw to tap the bell each time we go out?
XOXO Poppy

Dear Poppy,
Yes! But the idea is for you to do it on your own.
Love, Carolyn

Dear Mom,
I’m not sure I understand this. I think I’ll stick to the paw on your knee. It has always worked for me.
XOXO Poppy

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