Apr 29 2009
My Four-Legged Friends
“Money can buy you a fine dog, but only love can make him wag his tail.”
Have you ever had 60 lbs. of slobbering, energetic furball jump into your lap when you’re trying to enjoy your morning coffee outside in the cool morning air? Believe me, it’s a real thrill (if it’s a dog, that is). I guess there are other 60 lb. slobbering things that would not be a joy to meet at any time of day.
My mix-breed-mostly-german-shepard dog, thinks he’s a toy poodle apparently, as he wants to sit on my lap if I’m outside in a seated position. He does not realize that he outgrew this priviledge some time ago. His size alone is enough to deter the wandering deer and turkey that would make our yard their playground if he were not here. Little do they know that underneath all that fur beats a heart of gold.
Now, on the other hand ~ there is the little fellow that we recently rescued when he was dumped near my home. He’s almost 5 lbs. of pure terror. There are no ankles safe from harm when he’s around. Chihuahuas amaze me! They are so tiny, and yet in their own eyes they are equal to taking on critters that are 10 times their size. Widget (the little one in the picture) thinks he is the supreme guard dog at this home. Perhaps I should have named him “Sarge”, as he struts through the house like his duty is to keep everyone else towing the line. Head up, ears perked to their highest point, tail waving high in the air, he patrols the front door and the deck to make sure all is well.
The only problem I have found so far, with his determined protectiveness, is that I do not especially like to be awakened at 3 a.m. because he heard something outside that he did not like. That sharp, piercing little bark can put your teeth on edge very quickly. I’ll never forget one of the first days that he was with us, he suddenly discovered his reflection in the full-length mirror on the bathroom door. It was time for all-out war with the intruding creature and it took two humans to convince him that there was nothing harmful in the reflection.
In many ways, the company of dogs is preferable to humans, (that is, unless they have recently eaten something that disagrees with their digestive system ~ a problem which the one lying on the floor next to me seems to have right now!) Ugh!
Dogs never judge you, even though that new hairstyle is just a little weird; and your clothing looks like you just crawled out of the Good Will collection box. Dogs don’t care if you’re so fat you can’t see your feet, or so skinny that they can’t see you if you turn sideways. Each time you walk into the room is just as exciting to them as it was the last time.
You know how some people decide to have children to “save” a marriage that isn’t working? Well, they should get a dog or two instead. Dogs can give you all the challenges that children can, and can learn in just a few lessons the important things like where to go potty and when to be quiet. Dogs will never ever talk back when you correct them and will never ask for money or the car keys. Unconditional love is their only requirement, and what they always give in return.
Oh, there are plenty of humans that I love, but there are times when they all have priorities with their own families, jobs and responsibilities. A dog is never too busy for a hug or to listen to you bitch about all the things that are bothering you, and they will never, ever correct you.
So my advice to anyone who seeks comfort, undying love and a willing listener ~ get a DOG!
