FAMILY DOG

What greater connection IS there between species than what we have with dogs? Psychologist shares amazing revelations about the human-canine bond.

The Human-Dog Connection

by Roberta Lee, DD., PhD., ND.

We often use words without thinking of how they are joined or the one and only word that will convey exactly what we mean. I chose this title carefully. What greater connection is there 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 humans but when you stop and think about it, that love is conditional, meaning “it depends” on the time of day, whether you have food in your hand, whether your horse would rather graze or carry you around on his back, whether the elephant would rather hang out with his mahout or follow a lady elephant around...

Only the dog would always rather be with the person it loves. Only the dog will leave a meal when you call. Only the dog submitted willingly to domestication. Dog is the only animal on the planet that came to our campfire and stayed.

A relationship that unique must surely have been planned by a great power for it does not exist anywhere else in nature.

Is there any individual in your life that will love you no matter what? Your dog doesn’t care how smart you are or what job you work at. Your dog doesn’t care if you are fat or thin. Your dog may eat you out of house and home but if the cupboard is bare, your dog will starve rather than leave you.

The dog-and-human connection is utterly amazing even though it can be one sided.

In my practice I have counseled many people who admit to becoming so frustrated and angry with life that they have taken it out on the family dog. Perhaps that is part of the human-dog connection because that person might otherwise have harmed their child had the dog not been handier. Closer. There, always.

Even after a good hard kick, does the dog say, “the heck with you,” and leave? No, it cries out in pain, crawls away, and then in the next breath, when the remorseful owner calls, the dog comes with tail wagging, ready to do it’s masters bidding. Incredible!  No scientist or social psychologist could deny that incredible connection? As a professor of Comparative Religions I can say that only God has that connection with His creation.

For most of us, dogs are true members of the family. There are dog owners who have spent thousands of dollars to save the life of their dog. It is not just the ego-boost such utter adoration from the dog can give to a human. No, it is a deeper connection somehow ingrained in our psyche.

There are dog owners who have eaten less to be sure that their dog had food. Wouldn’t you call that a joining of the heart, a connection? Dogs tend to bring out the best in people, generosity they didn’t know they had. People live in areas that they don't like because finding a house or apartment to rent with a dog is almost impossible.

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 and he will love you just the same today as he did yesterday. Isn’t that amazing?

Why then are so many dogs put to death because there are inhumane humans among us that will betray them? Which creature is lacking something in its makeup? Sadly, those people may never make the connection that will make them a better, more stable person.

What about people who love from afar except for the dog that is theirs? People who just can't seem to connect with others?  That is dis-connection. The dog is their psychologist.  I know, I listen every day.

Dogs are loving and loyal without expectations. They are our protectors and often, our salvation. Dogs help us live longer and to heal faster, physically and emotionally. Dogs can be our hands when we're immobile, our eyes when we cannot see, or our feet when they no longer work. All dogs will sit by our sides when we cry, and play with us when we laugh.

TheDogPlace.org is where people that really care make a difference in the universal care and treatment of dogs. A place where we learn more about man’s best friend, not just our personal dogs but for dogs anywhere, everywhere. If you've read this far, you can make the connection because it is never too late. If you fail to understand why God put the dog on this earth, it will not be the dog's loss. It will assuredly be YOURS.

The Dog knows why he is here. It is time for YOU to make the connection.

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