Gone To The Dog!

A few days ago I slipped in the mud while walking Major. It was the kind of fall that knocks the wind out of you and you see stars for a while. When I came to my senses, I found my dog Major loaming over me and pulling me by my jacket nearly three to four feet toward the sidewalk. Once I regained my feet and we started walking again, he kept looking at me like he was making sure I was ok. Frankly I was amazed. I have friends that have pets and they are always talking about them…constantly. I have to say now…I get it!

I never had a pet growing up. My brothers and sisters did, but I had other agendas and only was aware of them when they crossed my path as a nuisance. During most of my adult life I have avoided owning pets. Mainly because I traveled so much, but partly i secretly didn’t want to end up like a few of my friends that talked endless of their pets…with photos! “Oh my cat did this or that and my dog was so cute when he/she…”, gag! Fast forward to a couple of years ago when we moved back to the US from Finland. We adopted a stray cat…or to be correct, the cat adopted us. I was left alone with Musta for a couple of months while H returned to Finland to finish her Masters. First couple of weeks, we tried to come to some accommodations but eventually we came to some agreement. I like to say Musta was my first dog…mainly because he follows me around like a puppy. But he was great company while H was away. When we move into our townhouse and Musta was not allowed out, we decided to adopt another cat as a companion. We got a rescued Siamese cat we named Asia. A dainty and really funny little lady, with an appetite like a Sumo wrestler. Its been a great fit for us.

H grew up with a dog and for years she has talked about getting a dog…mostly wanting a German Shepard. I was pretty cool to the idea because after all we had two cats, why a dog? We had the room, so I was steam-rolled into getting a dog. So we got Major from a breeder. Again, it was the animal that chose the human. He was the only one of the pack that looked cool to my eyes. While the other puppies froliced around us, little Major just sat and observed. Its pretty disconcerting to have a small puppy fixate on you like that. And he was so tiny…how hard could it be to take care of him??? Nine months later and after many battles there is a real friendship between me and this 105 pound animal. Oh, no mistake,,,he can try my patience to the boiling point, but the payoff is when you fall and hurt yourself and have him totally want to help. Think about that. If you fell in the big city (or some of them) chances are no one would help. Plus after being diagnosed with Diabetes and told I had to exercise a bit more, walking Major has cause me to quit smoking and I have lost 19lbs! And you know how there is always one dog in the neighborhood that everyone know? Thats our Major…he is his own ambassador for owing a dog…friendly, loves kids and it seems that everyone knows his name and wants to pet him. When the kids from the local Montessori school see him they go nuts and line the fence of the playground just so he can sniff their little hands. He’s learn to sit politely for any child.

Now I’m more aware of the pets around me and find that generally pet owners are nicer people. Pets do add something to our lives. I’m also appalled but the lack of disregard some people have for animals. Like most people, you see the cruelty to animals on the TV news, but are disconnected from it because its “not your pet.” Now I find my blood boiling when I see these reports of cruelty. Cesar Milan, The Dog Whisper says that the problem is not with the animal, but with the people. I tend to believe that statement.

So these days I’m more than happy to trade pet stories with my friends. Thanks Major.