What Makes Me a Dog Lover?
This question was posed to me in an email sent by a manufacturer of sports apparel for dogs.
And it got me thinking. Why do I want to greet every dog I meet? Why do I smile whenever a dog wags his tail at the sight of me?
This is what I’ve come up with:
A dog is what he or she is. Period. If Rumpy likes you, he likes you. If he don’t, he don’t. Rumpy never comes up and licks my face, then goes over and tells June Buggie what a bitch I am.
To Rumpy, a walk is a walk. He doesn’t care what I’m wearing when we walk. He only cares that we’re going. Just got up and hair still mussed? No worries. He will enjoy himself just the same.
Dogs don’t judge people by what they have….. unless there’s a cookie in your hand. Homeless? Multi-millionaire? Somewhere in between? It’s irrelevant to Rumpy. Just hand over the cookie.
I get so wrapped up in stuff. Rumpy reminds me of what’s really important in life. Good food. Good friends. Exercise. Fresh air. A good brushing. And the occasional squirrel to chase.
There’s a saying that goes:
Instead, my desire is to be the person my dog is. It’s quite a lofty goal, I know.
Dogpaddling Through Life 
Agreed. Dogs are just better people than people. Even Jack – although he is the first actual belligerent dog I’ve ever had. He’s still a better person than most people. Jack’s a negotiator. When he wants a treat, he’ll often go get a toy and drop it at my feet. Then he sits and looks at me, back at the toy, and back at me. It’s an obvious trade – but I don’t get to actually keep the toy. After I give him the treat, he takes the toy and runs away. 🙂
Sounds like Jack has you well trained! LOL
Totally agree. Considering we are apparently the more sophisticated; more intelligent etc species, it seems rather sad that while we are constantly “fighting” for our identity, dogs have no such concerns. They have life down to a fine art in that they are happy if their basic needs are met. We can learn so much from them. I am so glad that Ray is such an excellent teacher (as clearly is Rumpy). Everybody should be taught how to take care of a dog …. and then be given one! Imagine the $billions saved in self esteem counseling, fashion wardrobes, overall mental health treatments etc.? Somebody once said “I don’t know where dogs go when they die but, wherever it is, that’s where I want to go.” I agree!
I saw a great article in the Washington Post today: Want to Raise Empathetic Kids? Get Them a Dog
So agree..i am the person like last weekend taking pics of the dogs at the event..much more interesting and always honest…..no games unless it involves a toy and no bitching indeed..like or dislike they let you know…:)
If Spring Break in Panama City brought dogs to town instead of kids, there would be a few fights, and maybe some sex if there was an unspayed female around, but no shootings, no drugs, no rapes.
Absoulutely…the humans get all rowdy..these dogs i met on the weekend were wonderful..their people were too..especially a gorgeous old senior girl called Emily who was in a shelter 2 years due to her age..the people who adopted her have travelled Australia with her and take her to say hi each year to the shelter people..so i got not only more from the dogs there but i got to meet the people who had their lives enriched from them ..no morons in sight..was bliss 🙂
Absolutely… but if we would be as honest and bluntly as a dog our life would be difficult… although I like the imagination to say f…u… to the unfriendly and grumpy post guy instead of “good morning” :o)
Grumpy guys are Rumpy’s specialty! He would love to jump up and lick the guy’s face. Of course, the guy would probably run in fear, but hey, he tried!
I just recently had to put my dog to sleep – and this post just brought me to tears. It’s amazing how our furry friends can make us feel pure happiness, because they love us for who we are – no matter what. It’s that kind of unconditional love we should all strive for. I have a poem hanging in my room about how G-O-D is just D-O-G spelled backwards – coincidence? I think not!
I am so sorry you had to say goodbye to your beloved companion. They do bring out the best in us.
Very true….dogs are so honest to themselves and to humans, as well…..that is why we trust and love them! 🙂
Absolutely!
That is such a beautiful post and so true!! xxxxx
Thanks!!!
My pleasure it is true!
Ah, if only more people were like dogs, huh? I think that’s why we love them so much, they’re so accepting and loving.
I thoroughly enjoyed this post.
I hope Hunter will never judge me for what I have. I enjoy all my walks with him and I’m positive he does too! A casual stroll through the neighborhood is so soothing.
I’m a dog lover too – I cannot pass one without greeting it with a smile or a hello; I have to stop, and if possible, touch it. You have explained exactly all the reasons we love dogs so much. They just want to please us, they live in the moment, hold no grudges and there are no false pretenses with dogs; they are what they are. I wish more people were like them because the world would be a better place for it.
Great post.
Dogs don’t shaft you for a percentage (OK, they scrounge for 10% of your hot dog), they love you unconditionally (with or without hot dog) and they give you comfort just by being there (or even bring you a hot dog (with squeaker)).
It IS a lofty goal! We doggies are pretty darn smart and chill about most things in life.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
I’ve always said the more I get to know people, the more I love my dog.
We’re with you on every point!
Right on! wag wag wag ❤ ❤ ❤
Like you, I’m drawn to dogs, the bigger, the better. Even on vacation last week, I was getting my pupster fix on the beach. Dogs accept us totally without any reservations, warts and all. I’m humbled by their complete acceptance and inspired to be a better biped though some days I fail miserably. 🙂 Thankfully, Sam doesn’t give a whit, he still loves me and that makes it all worthwhile.
What is the name of the manufacturer of dog sports apparel? I would like to check them out. Is there any way you could post their site somewhere? Thanks
DoggieNation