Do you love your dog?
07
August
8/7/2009:
An incredible transformation
Do you love your dog as much (or more) that you’ve ever loved a person?
I’ll tell you – that the longer I’m the Hoboken411 Mascot Oscar’s owner – the more attached I get.
In the beginning – the dog was a “new” thing for me. More of a responsibility, even a hassle, for someone who hadn’t really had a “100% mine” pet. At times, it was quite a burden – a new “intrusion” on my typical daily schedule. Something I was hardly accustomed to, and took a while (6 months) to really “get.”
However – in the past 18 months, my dog ownership satisfaction level has catapulted to levels I never thought were possible.
Read why after the jump…
(Dog love, continued…)
Your “best friend” – hands down!
When you own a dog as incredibly sweet and loyal as Oscar (and I’m sure millions of other dogs) – something happens. You become not only a “parent” (i.e., you care for that canine’s healthy, feelings, etc.) – but your emotional love is obvious.
I happen to be lucky. I work from home. I’m with my dog (for the most part) 24 hours a day. He’s in my close proximity at all times. And after days, weeks, months and years pass by – your animal becomes “in tune” with you like you wouldn’t believe. The loyalty, respect and love he (or she) can show you more and more just changes you!
I am Legend
Since I’m a rather unique case (i.e, don’t need a dog-walker, etc.) – I’m fortunate to have developed this bond with Oscar. I talk to him like he’s human. Like my roommate/little brother. I didn’t realize this – but I noticed recently that I speak to him much in the way Will Smith spoke to Sammie in I am Legend… You talk to your pet conversationally. “Orders” are hardly necessary – in fact, here are some interesting trends I’ve picked up on. I can simply point somewhere – without saying a word – and he’ll go there. The same hold true for “nodding my head.”
By speaking to him consistently the same way – I don’t need to holler commands – I just speak quietly to him and he listens… such as:
- OK (means he’s safe to proceed)
- WAIT (sit and be patient for me for the next phrase)
- C’MON (follow where I’m going)
- NO (a universal “whatever you’re doing – stop,” works very well)
- SOON (to relax – that we’re “going out” as soon as I’m ready – typically 10-15 minutes)
- UP UP (my favorite – he’ll go where I point or tell him where to go… A tree, the bed, some stairs, etc. – the best!)
- SQUIRREL (this is a dangerous phrase – because Oscar is hell-bent on catching one. He will become obsessed with any tree, street pole, wire for the next 15-30 minutes – like a good hunter)
I have quite a few phrases that I use – but this list could become 100 long.
Responsible like he’s your first-born
One trait I’ve picked up quite naturally – is that I always take care of Oscar before I take care of myself.
He always eats before me. Regardless of whether I cook for myself, or just got delivery – I always am sure to feed him nicely before I eat. In the beginning it felt somewhat strange – but now it feels paternal.
I want to provide for him first and foremost – and have never left him with an empty bowl of food or water. He even gets double-filtered Hoboken water! (I have a dedicated Brita pitcher just for dog bowl). I can understand how it must feel to be a good parent.
Worried about their health, too
Just like human beings – your dog isn’t always the same “chipper self” that they typically are. Sometimes they’re just a bit “off.”
I get really worried when this takes place. Because your dog cannot “tell you” how the feel – you have to figure it out – and it can worry you. Because animals for the most part suffer 90% of the time in silence (only “cry” when it’s excruciating pain) – it’s hard to tell what to do. Whether they’re sick to their stomach, or have a sore joint – you wish for the love of God – that they could talk to you that one time. “Hey, I have a belly ache, I’ll be OK – do you have any pepto?” or “I twisted my paw – I’ll be OK – I just need to walk it off…” It kills you when you don’t know for sure. Your heart sinks when you see your companion suffering quietly.
Easier than people tell you
One thing I wanted to add about pet ownership. Many will tell you that it’s “difficult” or a “huge commitment” or something along those lines. But once your dog becomes a part of your life – it’s almost seamless. You learn how to combine routines (shopping, errands) – and figure out what places are pet-friendly or not, and just incorporate it into your life – just like having a child. “It’s part of you,” right?
Of course, there are difficulties, especially if you work off-site a lot – or need to take “days off” from your best friend. It helps to have fellow dog-owners as friends, and a reliable network of back-ups just in case.
But in the end – I would never trade it for anything.
FOOTNOTE:
I should add a little extra here. I’m very torn about where I stand with “City Dogs.”
If the situation were 100% black & white – I’d never suggest anyone get a dog unless someone can be with or near that pooch most of the day and night. Something about leaving the dog home alone all day just bugs me – even if you have an amazing dog walker. At the very least, have two dogs, so they can at least keep each other company all day – if you can manage that.
However, I’ve heard a many stories of dogs just becoming accustomed to being alone, and turn out just fine. But if I was back in the 9-5, there’s no way I would take on the responsibility.
August 11th 2009 - 00:05:33 |
First of all great post, I think it really hits home with anyone who hadn’t set out to be a “dog person” but did. The only bad part about this article and the comments is I had just turned off my own waterworks when I finally got caught up on the past week’s posts.
I rescued my 8 year old GSD/lab mix, Sunny, and learned a lot about dogs, but even more about myself. The old me would have balked at making plans based on how long I was at work, regular feeding and walking, having a normal conversation with my (at times disinterested) canine pal, shelling out $$$$ on daycare, vet bills, carpet cleaning, etc. Now, 7.5 years later, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. All the twists and turns that life threw at me, and one constant was my loyal pal.
Like many blessings in life, I think we take them for granted, even with best of intentions. In May I found out Sunny had cancer (lymphoma) and untreated, he would have been gone in weeks. Within just a few days he had no energy, and seemed in distress. Even Mr. Aloof could always be counted on to thump down, all 100 lbs of him, on the floor alongside my bed as soon as it was lights out. But for those few days all that could be heard was him trying to catch his breath. After just a couple weeks of chemo, he was better than new, seemed totally recharged and totally kicked ass for the rest of his treatments and amazed the oncologist and nurses. She confided that he was one of their favorite patients because every week she felt guilted into sharing her lunch with him. After he came out of the back my medical report was “Sunny had Swedish meatballs” or “today he had a BBQ chicken wrap.”
Now just a few weeks after his last treatment he has had a rapid onset of degenerative arthritis in his hip and spine. In less than 5 days he has gone from normal, to barely able to limp outside for potties or water in the kitchen. He stays put in the living room and doesn’t make the trek into the bedroom. He seems happy and full of life, and has been 1000% more affectionate and clingy (which is part of what has choked me up so much, thinking he knows he doesn’t feel good and wants the comfort of a parent, just like when we were kids). I am waiting to see how his Rx’s work, and hope he has some spring in his step left but like many things we have little control over, I find myself saying it isn’t fair that his second wind should be interrupted.
The best way to describe what a dog does to us is the quote from an unknown author, “My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am.”
*One thing I would ask any dog owner to consider is shopping around for pet insurance. Without it, I could not have afforded the lifesaving care Sunny got. The economy sucks and I will tell you that Uncle Sam has had to wait to receive his back taxes because someone else had a greater need for the cash.
Also, it is so great to see all the readers here offer suggestions for future dog owners, especially concerning the different rescue groups. Just a few months ago, I adopted a black lab mix from a local rescue that gets dogs from the kill shelters in NC. The hardest part was only being able to take one out of the pile of sleeping pups. My dad has a friend who is a vet, and said the one thing they never trained him for in veterinary school was euthanizing perfectly healthy animals.
So I guess that was the long-winded way of saying yes, I love my dog.
As an anonymous author said, “My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am.”
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August 11th 2009 - 00:10:17 |
Oops, sorry for the double quote…that’s what you get when you cut and paste while a little emotional…*cough*…talk amongst yourselves…
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August 11th 2009 - 09:16:43 |
The send them to kill shelters up here? Doesn’t sound like the greatest plan.
In response to jc5201 who said:
Here’s a link to one of the less heartbreaking articles about big, black dog syndrome. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23472518
The other articles were much worse. They talked about kill shelters down south. There’s a group based in NYC that owns a farm in Ark. They save dogs from these kill shelters and send them to shelter up north. Sad stuff.
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August 11th 2009 - 13:05:14 |
Great post. I’ve always said the best deal man ever made was that between us and dogs (and we still manage to screw it up). You captured exactly what it’s like living with a dog and having him/her as a friend. Thanks!
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