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Q: Hi Paula and david; My questions to you is : How many people have the " It's just a dog' theory?
I hear it all the time and it frustrates me. i see unruly, unleashed strays wandering about all the time, or dogs chained to trees in yards, and it breaks my heart to wonder how they got there. Don't people care? My dog is 14 and is the best part of my life. I had trained her when she was a puppy, and that has been the best investment I ever made.
I firmly believe that the happy, long lived dog that she is today is because of me and the time that I put into her A friend emailed me this " Just a dog" article, and I wanted to share it with you and maybe you could share it with your readers, letting them know that it's NOT, just a dog. So please take care of them and they will take care of you in return.
I look forward to reading your columns. I believe that you give some good sound advice and information, hopefully people are listening. Thank You Rhonda Doughty, Clark Mills, NY
A: It is sad to say that unfortunately there are some people that have this belief. We hear this phrase at times and are not afraid to educate people on the spot. However, everyone has their own opinions. Our jobs as trainers and educators is to offer advice and information on how to properly care for, and correct unwanted behavior before it starts or rehabilitate after is has begun. The most important thing we can do for our dogs is to care for them.
Treat them as part of our families, but without humanizing them. They have different needs and velleities ( desires) than humans do and are incapable of feeling emotions the way a human does. Tying a dog in the yard all day, or allowing it to wander free about the neighborhood to become a stray is not only inhumane but is also confusing for the dog. It has no real human contact, affection or attention and has a lack of leadership and social skills.
If you adopt or purchase a dog, please remember your responsibilities when bringing this dog into your lives. Not only does it require basic food, water and shelter, but it also requires your time, patience , guidance and leadership to live a happy,long life with you. If you get a dog as a gift, please educate yourself on how to properly care for this animal.
It is not the dogs fault if he chews your favorite pair of shoes or destroys your house while you are away at work. Don't give up on your dogs and set them to be strays or take them to shelters or rescue groups when they become unruly. Dogs do not know any better until someone teaches them.
It is not " just a dog" it's a life that you brought into yours and one that will bring you years of joy and happiness if you allow it to.
" Just a dog" Authored by Richard A. Biby
From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog,"
or, "that's a lot of money for just a dog." They don't understand
the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just
a dog."
Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog."
Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog,"
but I did not once feel slighted.
Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog,"
and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me
comfort and reason to overcome the day.
If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand
phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise."
"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust,
and pure unbridled joy.
"Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make
me a better person. Because of "just a dog", I will rise early, take
long walks and look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me,
it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the
future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.
"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away
from myself and the worries of the day.
I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog" , but
the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a man or
woman." So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog." just smile --
because
they "just don't understand."
Thank you to people like us who care enough to give your pet the very best and who have kept the commitment that they had made when bringing the dog home.
This article was published on November 23, 2008 page 5 of the Sunday Sentinel
