Change a well-founded constant

It’s a well-worn saying, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”
Maybe, and maybe not.
Angus, the newest member of the Johnson household, is an 11-year-old Schnauzer who, in the short time we have had the pleasure of his company, has learned to sit on command and, although he gives us a hurt look at the suggestion, usually defers when told “no.”
Perhaps the best of outcomes is that Angus has increased my daily exercise, a regimen that I have been lax in pursuing. Each day we make several journeys around the block, a distance of about a quarter of a mile, and when totaled usually come to about a mile.
He always has his nose to the ground and has become predictable to where one scent or another will cause him to prowl a little longer. Once he decides to investigate, it is difficult to discourage him; for weighing 14 pounds he’s a stout little fellow.
Fortunately, from day one he has made no bones about when he wants to go outdoors — for the obvious reasons. Whoever taught him thus has our eternal gratitude.
Second verse:
All of my life I’ve harbored a desire to learn to draw. Even being able to produce a simple rendition of an animal that didn’t have stick legs would thrill me to no end. Meanwhile, wife Beverly always has had artistic abilities.
Knowing an amateur launch into the arts was a yearning of mine, for Christmas she arranged drawing lessons for us with Steve Greenwall, a man who has great talent and immense patience.
We had our second lesson this week and finally put pencil to paper, to draw circles, squares and triangles. Beverly’s came out looking as they should; a bit of imagination was required with mine.

CHANGE IS difficult for some folks as they get a little long in the tooth. In some ways it is for me.
Accepting challenges — caring for a pet or learning a skill — is, I think, an important part of keeping yourself attuned to life and staying in the mainstream.
Liking to read as much as I do could lead to too much of a sedentary existence. Thankfully, Angus and such things as art are important in keeping the mind as well as body active.