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March 30, 2016

The Art of (Dog) War

Sun Tzu’s The Art of War is undoubtedly the world’s most-read work on strategy and tactics. It’s astute, universal aphorisms are still studied and quoted today, nearly a thousand years after the original publication. Sun Tzu is hailed as a revolutionary strategist, but the more I watch Eko and Penny wrestle
Sun Tzu’s The Art of War is undoubtedly the world’s most-read work on strategy and tactics. It’s astute, universal aphorisms are still studied and quoted today, nearly a thousand years after the original publication. Sun Tzu is hailed as a revolutionary strategist, but the more I watch Eko and Penny wrestle with each other, the more I’m convinced Sun Tzu might have plagiarized his work by simply writing down what his dogs did. Don’t believe me? Let’s take a look at a recent skirmish in my apartment as told via Sun Tzu quotations:Rhodesian Ridgeback, blog, chicago, adventure, puppy

“Be extremely subtle even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponent’s fate.

Rhodesian Ridgeback, blog, chicago, adventure, puppy

“He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious.”

Rhodesian Ridgeback, blog, chicago, adventure, puppy

“Appear weak when you are strong.”

Rhodesian Ridgeback, blog, chicago, adventure, puppy

“If your opponent is of choleric temper,  seek to irritate him.  Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.”

Rhodesian Ridgeback, blog, chicago, adventure, puppy

“Engage people with what they expect; it is what they are able to discern and confirms their projections. It settles them into predictable patterns of response, occupying their minds while you wait for the extraordinary moment — that which they cannot anticipate.”

Rhodesian Ridgeback, blog, chicago, adventure, puppy

“In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity”

Rhodesian Ridgeback, blog, chicago, adventure, puppy

“Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.”

Rhodesian Ridgeback, blog, chicago, adventure, puppy

“All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.”

So, after watching Eko execute another masterclass in strategic deception in order to rough up his little sister, it seems there are only two options.

Either Sun Tzu’s dogs are the true authors of his work, or Eko has read The Art of War. I look forward to sharing this earth-shattering revelation on a History Channel special and then have that guy with the crazy hair explain how aliens are involved.

Comments for The Art of (Dog) War

  1. I bet he read it :o)… and maybe Penny read some Macchiavelli, then you can sell your tv… you always will have the bestest entertainment in your house :o) the crazy hair guy rocks… whatever he says, it’s always a true story :o)

  2. Ogee says:

    Animals have it figured out. Penny and Eko are naturals at combat and surrender with dignity! We humans just have to put words to it for it to be a ‘thing.’ 🙂

  3. Caroline says:

    Very, very clever post!

  4. Victoria says:

    Maybe you can have the WV monster hunters (from the show Mountain Monsters) narrate – that would surely be more melodramatic and wild! And they would build a trap – don’t they always? Oh….my poor WV reputation!

  5. Phyllis says:

    OK This is your funniest blog yet! Brilliant!

  6. Kismet says:

    RRs can read Chinese? I’m impressed.

  7. Brilliant Will. Absolutely brilliant.
    I see these battles every Saturday morning in the middle of my bed. Fortunately I’m not trying to sleep at that point, but instead reading on my iPad. You capture the war very well. Sun Tsu would be pleased.

  8. coastingnz says:

    ha-ha awesome – great shots and to the letter of the book. Well done Eko!

  9. John Arvin says:

    BEST.POST.EVER…LOL

  10. Cupcake says:

    Oh, P. The book says “appear weak” not appear deranged and demented! You kids crack me up!

    Love and licks,
    Cupcake

  11. Emmadog says:

    So with all this going on in the house, does the furniture get pushed around or knocked over at times?

  12. Wendy says:

    Just last week I saw “The Art of War” on the discount table at my local book shop. If I’d realised it was actually a dog psychology text I might have bought it! Our dog battles are more along the lines of a fake Confucius quote, “Young dog must approach old dog with caution in order not to provoke her to attack”.

  13. It’s “all go” at your house with those two! Love the photos – you capture the BEST expressions on their super expressive faces and those mouths – wow! They sure have fun and I think the photographer does too – right?

    Pam

  14. Both your pups seem to be strategy masters!

  15. hahaha great quotes and pictures, just perfect

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