They often say a dog is a man’s best friend and that sometimes they are even better than having a husband! Who am I to question that? We have also heard that a person oftentimes has the features of their dog. Believe it or not, people can share their buddy’s temperament and characteristics as well. It can be okay to say that birds of a feather, flock together. We also need to take into consideration that the breed we choose may be influenced by a specific lifestyle, or in my case, complex rules.
- Daschunds dig up things and unfortunately, their owners love gardening.
- If you own Rottweilers, you may be very intense and determined.
- Pitbulls look tough on the outside, but are sweet on the inside.
- If you choose a Schnauzer, you are spirited and friendly.
- It is said that the owners of Poodles are elegant and they enjoy the finer things in life.
- When you are a Border Collie fan, you like a challenge and are most probably a mother-hen.
- Retrievers are born leaders, and
- German Shepherds are even-tempered, lovable, dependable and strong.
Can you find the resemblance between you and your pet-friend?
Let me take my Jack Russell Terrier as an example. Someone once said she needs Ritalin with her VERY active personality, but from what I have heard, when using Ritalin, it can change the user into a zombie. I will rather get exhausted by just watching her. She loves chasing after the lizards in the garden. If you look closely, you will be able to see her smile. Seven definitely represents the earlier, more active version of me. Nowadays, I can happily lie on the bed, reading. I can still work up a sweat, but just because I have to, not necessarily because I want to.
She is at her happiest when we go for a walk. Her excitement announces us coming. I am sure that the other furry friends in our neighborhood can hear her from a mile away. If she was any bigger, she would have taken me for a run. I have tried many different leashes, but realized that a harness will suit her best, as I refuse to do shock therapy. Isn’t it shocking that some people resort to that? The harness is comfy and secure and comes in various stylish designs and colors. If you have a puller, this might be something to consider.
Every Saturday morning (unless there is rain, hail or snow), we have a walk date with our friends. On these walks you will find Seven feisty, brave and extremely talkative, to the dismay of other dogwalkers and even me. Her competitive nature is on the lookout for another dog who can be a possible threat and the raised hair on her back makes her an inch or two taller, showing that she is meaning business. Ready to attack. Size doesn’t matter to her. When I think about it, I also tend to believe that I can take on the whole, wide world. And sometimes I bite off more than I can chew. Like Seven, my defense is to attack. I will charge when I sense danger, but I will just as easily run away if I see that I am fighting a losing battle.
Sensitive, is Seven’s middle name. In cases where I raise my voice, she runs and hides. She will not come close until I use a softer, gentler tone to let her know it is safe. I think this might be learned behavior. She once gnawed on my newly planted rose tree (a gift from my parents resembling new beginnings). I was furious and used her favorite toy – a tennis ball – to chase her away. As a Playball coach of almost 20 years, I was an accurate, powerful ball thrower. I still feel terrible about how I overreacted. The irony of it all is that she remembered the tone in my voice with this incident, but not that I used the ball. She still adores a ball. It comes as no surprise that I am also extremely sensitive in certain situations. Some things from the past, must have changed neuro pathways and need more help than just a gentle tone. Whenever I hear a nasty tone in a voice, or when I sense irritation in body language, I pull in my neck and hide under my shell. Some of you will agree with me.
Seven’s friend, Buzzbee, on the other hand, seems as if she does not have a care in the world. She is a basset/beagle cross. When on the leash, she strolls along peacefully, nose in the air, almost if she says: “Stop! Smell the roses! She portrays the character of her owner. She is gentle and affectionate, loyal, but not a pushover. Buzzbee can literally become immovable when she is determined to have her own way. Like a stubborn teenager, she will sit down, look you straight in the eye and whatever you say or shout, it will fall on total deaf ears. All tricks of the trade have been tried here – begging, calling, whistling, demanding, to name but a few. “Come!” is not a command that Basset hounds are eager to obey, but they live for food. That is why a treat is the only thing that helps. And yes, Buzzbee knows this. You can also spoil her mom with something sweet and like her doggy-child it is much easier for her to brush off or ignore the annoying things in her life.
Last Saturday, two pedigree dogs were aggravated by Seven’s chirpy sounds. To her, they must have been vicious, as she was in fighting mode. There was a huge commotion as we tried to pick up Seven. Buzzbee just kept on walking as if oblivious to anything else.
It was at this exact moment that I realized we should also have this whatever-attitude in life. When the enemy comes at us like a roaring lion (NOTE that 1 Peter 5: 8 says ‘LIKE’ a roaring lion. He is not a roaring lion) we can know that the Lion of Judah is on our side (Revelation 5:5). We might give it a glance, see the enemy for what it is - a wannabe-lion - and keep on walking. Just keep on walking…
We are complex creatures, and our dog companions may smear off on us and vice versa. The fact of the matter is that all dog-lovers have a unique bond with their friends/family. They help each other blossom.
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