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The Human-Dog Connection
by Dr. Roberta Lee
I love words. Most of us just use words because we have learned the language without ever giving thought to the intricate balance of how certain parts of words are joined, to make up the one and only word that will convey exactly what you mean or the emotion of the moment.
For example the word connect comes from the Latin word connectere; meaning to bind together. Connection; from the same root word means; a joining, a relation between things that depend on, involve, or follow each other; etc.
I know that by now you are wondering why I am writing about words when this site is dedicated to the human relationship with dogs. But I see a connection!
What greater connection than to have a relationship with a being that will love us unconditionally? Now, it is certainly true that there are other animals that love unconditionally but the dog has the capacity to be the most giving and loyal, the most thinking and kind, and the most forgiving animal on the planet.
Who else in your life would forgive a brutal beating? Or starvation? Or abandonment? Is there one other individual in your life that will love you no matter what? Your dog doesn’t care how smart you are, what type of education you have, or what job you work at. Your dog doesn’t care if you are fat or thin, funny or morose. Even though given the opportunity, your dog may eat you out of house and home, but if the cupboard is bare, your dog will starve rather than leave you. There have been cases where a thoughtless person has taken their dog out to the country to dump it and the dog beat them back home. I would say that was an amazing connection, if only one sided.
I have seen people get so frustrated and angry with life, that if the dog does something that further angers the owner, the dogs gets a good hard kick. Did that dog say, “the heck with you,” and leave? No, it cried out in pain, crawled over under the table, and then in the next breath, when the owner called, the dog came out with tail wagging ready to do it’s masters bidding. Would you then say that there was a connection?
For most of us, our dogs are not lower animals but true members of the family, with all of the rights and rewards dogs deserve. But unfortunately, there are still those that are not concerned about the plight of man's best friend in this country and around the world.
On the brighter side, there are dog owners who have spent thousands of dollars to save the life of their beloved dogs when the need arose. Would you call that a connection?
There are devoted owners who have eaten less to be sure that their dog had more. Would you call that a connection? People live in areas that they didn’t care for because finding a house or apartment to rent with a dog is almost impossible. Would you call that a connection?
When you can tell your dog that you lied, lost your temper without cause, that you stole something; cheated, or let a friend down and the dog doesn't judge you but will instead cuddle closer and kiss you, wouldn't you call that a connection? You can tell a dog your deepest darkest secrets, fears and longings, and they will love you just the same today as they did yesterday. What a wonderful connection!
Then why are there still so many dogs that are being put to death because there are those that will dump? Abandon? Abuse? Those that have not and will not make the connection. There are those that have a connection to all dogs but many dog lovers love from afar, except for the dog that is theirs. That is dis-connection.
All dogs have the capability to be loving and loyal. To be fun to be with. To be our protectors and saviors. To understand the difference in our moods. To help us live longer and help us to heal faster. To be our hands when we're immobile, our eyes when we cannot see, our feet when they no longer work. All dogs will sit by our sides when we cry, and play with us when we laugh. Why then do we as a species, allow so many dogs to go needlessly to their demise, alone and in an untimely fashion?
Then how can we condone puppy mills, "humane societies" that kill dogs, gang related and professional dog fighting, exporting dog meat, or buy goods from countries that use dog fur in toys? Why do we turn our backs when neighbors leave their dog out in the hot sun or freezing cold, chained away from water or shelter?
TheDogPlace is where connections can be made and formed, from the age of three or four years old till you can’t read any more. Where people that really care make a difference in the universal care and treatment of dogs. It is time to stop blaming dogs for the behavior of humans and shoulder the responsibility that was given to us to really take dominion over the dogs and become humane caretakers. But it shouldn’t stop with just our personal dogs. It should be dogs anywhere, everywhere.
I don’t mean by passing bad laws that intrude on the privacy of our neighbors or their rights to have dogs, or breed dogs, if they are humanely cared for. But if you knew that your neighbor was beating their child, there are already laws and you would step in and do something about it. If your neighbor had their children outside in pens so filthy that it would cause you to retch, would you just walk by saying nothing? So then why not their dog? We must become interested in the dog laws that are passed and our ownership of dogs.
If you don’t make the connection now, it may be too late, and you will never have the opportunity to do so. And that will not be the dog's loss. It will assuredly be YOURS.
It is time for YOU to make the commitment, and the connection.
If you know of a state law that is being formulated which would infringe on your rights as a dog owner, please write to THEDOGPLACE. There is power in numbers and together we can and should make a difference. The time is now. Let’s make the CONNECTION.
Contact: rlwhitedov@ca.rr.com