Im Looking at the Dog in the Mirror

You have heard the adage “owners look like their dogs” or vice versa? I have several friends at Dog Park for which this is true: Cloudy, the boxer is sleek and thin moving with a quickness and grace that mirrors her mom. Gee is an Australian Sheppard who is fluffy and rotund monitoring the park, much like her dad. Then there’s Kennedy the American Bulldog, short and stout with an open friendly smiling face just like his dad. Even I at one time had my long hair pulled back at the bangs, featuring my huge eyes with a little bump at the crown of head – which made me and my little Shih Tzu Bodhi look like twins!  What I have observed moreover though is how dogs mirror aspects of their owners’ personalities. Naturally certain human personalities are attracted to certain breeds for what they embody physically and trait wise.  I am attracted to high energy, social dogs.  I also need a canine companion that seeks out my approval and affection.

When I watch my little blonde dog, Bodhi, chase his squirrel down the hall I am amazed at the endless energy he has and the grin that spreads across his face as his people laugh and cheer kudos to his cuteness.  He makes friends everywhere we go and wins hearts instantly with his sparkly brown eyes.  Many of my friends and family have described me much as I have Bodhi.  So is it fair to say he is my “mini-me”?  If we watch our children, the fur babies and the human ones – we can see this.  My fur children are social and eager to know others because I am.  My Baby Ponydog is coy, because I taught her coy fetch games.  Little blonde dog craves attention but will sit back and wait to be noticed, and then turn on the charm.  They are both impatient and we work on THAT trait together.The tiniest glimpse of ourselves in their embodiment. 

So we should look further into ourselves and what we give to others.  Are we tense, closed, negative or maybe a tad too neutral? What do your “mini me’s” say about you?  What have you gifted them that they show to the world?  When I am at Dog Park and I see the way in which the fur children handle themselves, I am not surprised that the people stand in a social circle and really get to know one another.  We are curious, we are open minded, we aren’t afraid to speak our minds or correct one another’s fur children with firm loving guidance.  We smile and laugh and share anecdotes - as our fur children greet one another and all the people who enter the park. Some days it truly is a utopian society – no wonder we never want to leave…

I Find It at Dog Park

Ms. Mitzi woke this morning ready to go, never mind that at 6:30 A. M. our daily run was going to be conducted in 80 degree heat!   She's a good girl; waits and sits as instructed while I place her gentle leader on her snout and off we go. It's always the same with her. We get a block from the house and she gently places my hand behind her two canine teeth expecting me to "tug boat" her prancing 146lb body along my run. This is cute and gets many waves and smiles from people passing by - but after half a block the "prancing pony eating hand" routine is old and I am in search of a phalange relief in form of a stick.  Mitzi is always good for at least one stick on our walks.  Training Mitzi the one word used over and over again is consistent. Dogs like to know what to expect – or rather we as their people like to know what to expect and impose this on their little animal nature. Animals are pretty predictable in their relationships. All animals. . .

We begin relationships following our own patterns, “trained” into us from the time we were born. As our personalities develop and we are allowed to make our own mistakes we formulate “growth” and experience and decide having learned our lessons we are better for it. We are, for awhile. . . Until we fall back into our training and repeat our scenarios, healthy and unhealthy, all over again. Obviously it is the unhealthy ones that plague us.  The question for me is, how do I skip the “Scooby snack” life is handing me and stay on course for the healthy wholesome relationships?  Some people find this in their religion, education, gym, careers. . .  I find it at Dog Park.

Relationships at Dog Park are easy: There is a double gate, the one that allows you safe entrance, to get your bearings, showing the other occupants from across the fence what you’re made of. There are the curious fence greeters, the ones who have to rush and let you know they are vying for top dog position. There are the playful ones who are good for a run and some mischief. Even the ones that hang back and act aloof, they are noticing your entrance and presentation. Without much intervention or rules when you step into that grassy arena everyone is aware and open to accept and tolerate one another. At Dog Park when one encounters another who is not good for them, they stay away. Not only that, they commit to memory bad vibes, hurtful playmates and “dirty dogs” and give them plenty of space.

Ms. Mitzi knows who doesn’t like her, who she threatens, who she feels threatened by or who she doesn’t play well with.  She walks away from the enticing adrenaline rush that trouble can bring and she moves forward to find the “pals” whom she can count on for healthy interactions: running, wrestling, resting in the shade, sharing a slobbery kiss with over the water bucket.  She prances proud when left to her solitary activities and when invited to run and breathe and play she accepts graciously (if not gracefully).  When it is time to go, there are short goodbyes, no regrets and the promise of the next enjoyable interactions.

Dog Park double gates live within my heart and mind.  Many times I throw caution to the wind and go barreling through the gates, not utilizing the safety and happiness that boundary, predictability, consistency can bring – I seek out the worst interactions, and for what end? Am I not a graceful Dane who revels in the joy, peace and calm that all the above brings? Aren’t we all?