March 2, 2010
-
Dogs and things
I have always, ALWAYS, had a dog. Usually I have had more than one. Living on a farm there were a lot of strays. People dropped them off or they appeared, lost, hungry, hurt, confused, and much to my mother’s chagrin, I took them in, fed them, loved them, kept them or found them homes. As the children grew we had all manner of beasties – guinea pigs, hamsters, rats, lizards, cats, birds. They have come and gone. But always there has been a dog. I am a an animal person. Fins, fur, feathers – it all works for me. I understand the appeal of cats. Believe me, on these winter mornings there would be something so appealing about a critter that had the common sense to use a litter box and not require a walk or twelve. But in my heart of hearts, I am a dog person. Dogs are so….so….present. When I hurt my back several weeks ago, the concern and understanding Bonnie exhibited was heart-filling and tender. She kept her distance, understood the pain, and frequently acted as a gently moving handrail that I used to get up and down.
I have become fascinated, my children would say obsessed, with The Dog Whisperer. I took the dvds home because I needed something to laugh at and wound up becoming one of his ardent fans. I love his gentle, quiet way, his humor. Were I a teenager I would plaster poster of Cesar Millan all over my bedroom walls and ceiling. It isn’t about, “Oh my goodness, he’s so HOT.” He isn’t. It’s the understanding he exhibits. While I believe I have the perfect dog in Miss Bonnie, who has grown from a little ball of fluff to a sensitive, mature bitch, there are always some areas that can be more balanced. I know the chasing bikes and things with wheels is my problem,, not hers. I become tense when a bike wheels by, anticipating her herding/prey reaction. She responds accordingly, barking and chasing and trying to put them in their place. We will deal with that this spring and summer, whne the bikes and skateboards are out in force. I have always wanted a dog to go biking with and I think, thanks to Millan, I have the skills to teach her now. She no longer lunges at the vacuum, a source of serious aggravation in the past, but rather turns away, shrugs her shoulders, and goes back to sleep. I managed to accomplish this without raising my voice or becoming frustrated. Pretty cool, actually. And I owe it all to the Dog Whisperer. So does Bonnie.
And so it goes.
Comments (3)
Our cats, on the other hand, flee from the vacuum as though their tails were on fire. I miss our pup, Milly. She lived a good 13 or so years, very old for a lab mix.
maybe I’ll check out the dvds. (I’m going to the library today anyway, duh) I’ve seen a few of the episodes and I like that he respects each animal. I think that’s what it comes down to with those of us who love animals – we respect them.
I also share the Dog Whisperer love. He has taught me how to handle the ever chaotic menagerie of canine friends I share my life with by using calm assertive energy and who doesn’t like calm assertive energy!