Charlie is a Chihuahua. She is also a bit different. She is colored like a Doberman. Unusual for the breed, she is not known to bark. The one exception happens at six each evening. At this time, Charlie walks outside and barks at the dog that may or may not be present. It does not matter; Charlie is on patrol.
For the most part, Charlie is focused on her two greatest obsessions. In random order, they are eating and sleeping. Everything revolves around these two goals in life. Initially I assumed that they were mutually exclusive. When one sleeps, eating is the last thing on her/his mind. Why would it be any different for Charlie?
As I have observed, Charlie can appear to be sound asleep on the couch. One sound, no matter how minute or consistent with the surroundings can trigger an instant transformation! Usually the sound will come from the kitchen. It can be as simple as a fork or spoon bouncing off the stone counter. It can be the sound of a refrigerator door opening. Even the sound of the garbage compacter door is a motivation source.
From a motionless bundle resting on the couch to scrambling across the tiled floor, the change is a blur. From sleeping to high alert, it is a switch moving from off to on. Any assumption that she is not paying attention to what is going on, even as she rests deeply, would be a mistake.
The assumption that others are not paying attention goes well beyond dogs. From business managers to artists, from athletes to bikers, perceptions often become reality. Across history, writers have documented the exceptions. In one example, a creative manager “rounded up his workers and others similarly employed and said, ‘Men, you well know that we have a good thing going here—and you’ve seen how Paul has barged in and discredited what we’re doing by telling people that there’s no such thing as a god made with hands.’” (Acts 19.25) Some thought he was unaware, obsessed with making a profit.
Charlie is aware.
