Trust Works: Four Keys to Building Lasting Relationships. Ken Blanchard

1. Keep confidences	H S O V A
2. Admit when I am wrong	H S O V A
3. Am honest	H S O V A
4. Avoid talking behind people’s backs	H S O V A
5. Am sincere	H S O V A
6. Am nonjudgmental	H S O V A
7. Show respect for others	H S O V A

      Just about the time the parrot was telling the dog how to be Believable, Kylie approached her mom, who was working at her desk.

      “Mom, you keep saying you’re going to get Billy some swimming lessons. But you haven’t, and I don’t think you’re ever going to do it.”

      Mrs. Berryhill opened her mouth to begin an excuse, but when she saw the look in Kylie’s eyes, she realized she was losing her daughter’s trust. It was clear her daughter didn’t see her as Believable.

      “I’m sorry, honey,” she said. “You’re right. I haven’t set up his swimming lessons yet. Let’s go to the computer. You can help me find out where they’re giving lessons in the neighborhood so I can sign Billy up.”

      “Yay!” said Kylie. “I can’t wait for him to be able to play with me in the pool.”

      Within a few minutes, they had found a school and enrolled Billy in a class.

      The next day Woof found Whiskers stretched out on the carpet, warming her silky fur in the sunshine pouring through the window.

      “Whiskers,” he said, “I would like to apologize to you.”

      She opened her eyes ever so slightly. “What have you done now?” she asked.

      “Months ago I chased you up the big oak tree in the front yard,” said the dog. “Not only was that disrespectful, but I frightened you and that was wrong. I sincerely apologize and promise you I won’t do that again.”

      Whiskers lay back and closed her eyes again. “Apology accepted,” she said. “Now let me sleep.”

      Harriet, who had been eavesdropping on their conversation and could hardly believe her ears, stopped running on her wheel. Could it be that Woof and Whiskers were finally learning to trust each other?

      Not only did Woof apologize, but over the next few weeks, he demonstrated that he was Believable to Whiskers in many other ways. For example, when Harriet and Wiggles were complaining about the way the cat rubbed Mrs. Berryhill’s leg and got all of her attention, the dog refused to chime in.

      “Whiskers is conceited and self-centered,” they said. “Don’t you agree, Woof?”

      To this Woof responded, “She is my friend. If you two have issues with Whiskers, you really should discuss them with her.”

      Word of Woof’s gallant response got back to Whiskers and to her great surprise, she was touched.

      On a windy afternoon when Woof was feeling frisky, he succumbed to his old ways and bounded toward Whiskers at full speed. He didn’t do it on purpose; it was simply the force of deeply ingrained habit. Just in time he remembered his promise not to chase her. He stopped dead in his tracks, wagged his tail in a friendly, nonthreatening way, and waited politely for her to pass by. The change of behavior took considerable effort, and Woof felt proud of himself for achieving it.