The Difference in Dogs
>> Tuesday, October 20, 2009
I have always known this to be true, but yesterday it struck me again. Dogs are as different in personalities as people.
I was in Texas visiting my sister for a long weekend. Maddie and Annabelle were well cared for by my husband Chuck, but they missed me nonetheless and were exuberant when I got home. I missed them too, but being at my sister's is the next best thing to home because she has a dog and four cats!
Anyway, back to what I was starting to say...Chuck opened the door from the garage to our house and Annabelle bolted out to see me. Chuck was frantically calling Annabelle back inside. I wasn't. Why? Because I know that Annabelle won't take off. She won't go anywhere that I'm not. She'll be calm and focused.
I opened up the car door to get out more luggage and Annabelle jumped in the driver's seat and waited patiently for me. Then she followed me into the house.
Maddie on the other hand would have jumped up to greet me, run down the street, and chase after whatever it was that attracted her attention. Then she would have become slightly confused and spatially challenged looking this way and that. Maddie's a lot like me.
For me, the key to respecting my girls (or any of the dogs I've had) is understanding that they are just like us with different personalities and challenges.
The only difference between dogs and us was best said by Josh Billings: "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself."
Too bad most people can't learn from dogs!
16 comments:
I could not have said it better! Every time I come home from town, Annie has to sniff everything to find out where I have been, what's in the bags and is there anything for me? Ha! Billings is a wise man.
Hey there, Jan
A really lovely and endearing piece of writing! Glad you got home to a Hero's welcome!
MAX's mom in SA
My cats snuck into the bedroom 8 times after my husband left the door open this morning. Hana 2 times and Acua 6 times. There's the difference!
Hi Jan,
I also have two dogs, every time I come back home from school Pascal starts barking before I reach the door, and Shakira is very pampered, and likes to be petted, while Pascal likes to kiss everybody.
Michelle
So true. When we first got Sadie, she followed us and some friends outside one day. We went back and inside and had been visiting for quite a while when we realized we had left Sadie outside. We hurried out the door to find her patiently waiting on the porch for someone to miss her...
Oh how sad about Saidie Lily, I'm glad you got her back in.
It's true dogs are the only ones who love us more than they love themselves. ONLY I was sure I was getting a look today while I was cooking that said (mind you this is the dog talking) why do you always get to fool with food, how come YOU don't have to wait for ME to feed YOU?? HUH HUH HUH? Just lemme be the cook ONE day, we will see who has to look cute and wait patiently then. ----- And that was just one look!
I'm so happy when my people come home & don't know what to do with myself!
Such a true post! Dogs certainly do have different personalities and sometimes no amount of training can change it. Our Sadie is really good though thankfully!
Well said! I've always said that our animals (specifically dogs & horses) can teach us a lot about being human!!
Michelle
Yep..you are right lady!!
Benny & Lily
I am so happy to see my moms get up in the morning. And I am so smart, that I know if something is not quite right in the household, and I get the ball rolling to get it taken care of. STAT! I never give up waiting to welcome my mom home. Endlessly devoted is what it's called.
True. My husband and I have had this convo many times. My snickers aka "lil baby" acts just like a baby. She needs the attention that babies do. My sugar is a true bitch. Leave her alone she will come to you when she wants the love. My sweetie pie is just that...sweet as they come and anyone who sees her says oh she is so sweet. We have a new adoptee I will have to do a post on her...didn't thing we would ever in a million years have this many dogs...but i love them.
So very True! I think too many people forget that dogs are individuals - and they deserve the respect and consideration for the little people they are!
Lots of licks
Sally and Paddy (and D)
Very true Jan. We forget that all animals are "personalities", not just "animals".
Had to laugh when I read Maddie is like you. lol
I don't remember our cats having different personalities so much; but do remember how aloof they'd be when we return from someone. They were mad we left; and things had to be in their terms when we returned.
Glad you had such a good trip with yoru Sis.
Sandy
glad you got the 2 huge bags of goodies too for Rae..hey folks click on the Bridge Project Badge to see what we're talking about
What you said was right on target! To bad so many folks can't seem to see it! I'm glad you had a good visit, too!
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