[alaskayorkie]

Two weeks with Rusty have rekindled memories of what it's like to be a big-dog owner. And I have a whole new appreciation for little dogs. Here are a few of the differences I've noted so far between my Yorkies and my Lab:

If they don't cooperate
Little Dogs: You can pick them up with one hand.
Big Dogs: You need both hands, your body. And luck.

On leash, if they take off in another direction willfully
Little Dogs: You can control them with one finger.
Big Dogs: You take off in the same direction against your will.

The worst that can happen if they jerk at their leash when you're not expecting it
Little Dogs: You spill a drop of coffee out of your mug.
Big Dogs: The coffee cup goes flying, breaks on the ground and the coffee flies in your face.

If they pull real hard while walking on ice
Little Dogs: They get no traction and go nowhere. Observers laugh.
Big Dogs: You lose traction and fall. Observers laugh.

If you don't see exactly where they poop in the woods
Little Dogs: You will never find it.
Big Dogs: You smell it before you see it, from 25 yards out.

You can pick up a turd
Little Dogs: With a birch leaf.
Big Dogs: With a shovel and a plastic bag. And you still don't feel right until you scrub your hands thoroughly.

If they run into something
Little Dogs: You worry about them getting hurt
Big Dogs: It breaks.