Jaxson is my Mercury Retrograde Pet. This is the only feasible explanation to his bizard behavior since March 6th.

It was the first week of of the month and you would have thought Jaxson was auditioning to be the poster pup for disobedience. As the young people say –

He had become – EXTRA.

Transition? As in stubborn, and down right demon doodle defiant.

For him to follow a basic command, I had to turn into a hip hop rap artist shouting his name so many times I started singing it with a funky beat.

MERCURY RETROGADE DATES –

In 2019, Mercury will be in retrograde three times –

• March 5 to 28

• July 7 to August 2

• October 31 to November 20 

Initially, I didn’t make the connection. It started to make sense later that afternoon when another therapy dog came into the hospital and I noticed her pet parent wore the same look of frustration…

Borden is usually a very quiet dog, but this day he was like an overtired toddler. He cried, whined and would not stop.

Susan and I commiserated but as she left the office she said –

Something must be in the air to make these guys so crazy.

And that’s when it hit me! Was mercury in retrograde?

OUR MOJO IS ALL MESSED UP – 

Last week at work, he was determined to get us both suspended, (w/o pay no doubt) for bad behavior!

Usually when I slip out to retrieve paper from the copier, grab a bottle of water, or speak to a co-worker a few feet away from me, I can leave the gate open because he knows I’m coming back…

Not Thursday! 

On Thursday he’d bolt every time like a runaway. When I used my “Doodle Mom” voice (yes I have one) he would lay there and whimper…

I went to the bathroom once and came back to hear him barking at a volunteer. That’s not cool for a therapy dog.

Could the astrologers be on to something?

WHAT IS MERCURY RETROGRADE? –

Three times a year, it appears as if the planet Mercury is going backwards (or moving in the opposite direction to Earth).

But this backwards movement is an illusion – 

Similar to the one you experience when you’re in a car on the highway moving faster than a train alongside of you. The train appears to be moving backward, but it’s just moving more slowly than you are.

Mother Nature Network

Because astrologers believe this has an effect on us earthlings, Mercury retrograde is blamed for everything from miscommunication, travel and learning.

Yet there is no science to back that up. #justputtingitoutthere

 ONLY ONE DOOD – 

While Jaxson acts like he’s lost his ever-loving Doodle mind, it is fascinating to watch Harley prance through life like “business as usual.” 

Sunday I dropped them off for a bath. As I’m trying to pay for services rendered, Jaxson’s sampling the treat table like he’s at a buffet at the Golden Corral…

When I searched for answers about Mercury retrograde and the affects on pets, I found this and thought it was worth sharing – 

Mercury retrograde is also a time when many pets go missing, often due to gates or doors being left open by distracted owners. If your pet seems confused, don’t be alarmed. It’s totally normal during Mercury retrograde.

Bustle

WHAT’S MY PLAN? – 

Well, I really don’t know. LOL

From all that I’ve read – whatever strange/unusual behavior your pet may exhibit during this timeframe will go away when this ends on the 28th. 

If not, the bakery/grooming salon we go to may not allow us to come back.

Are your pets displaying any odd behavior lately?