DOG CRAZY

 Just another day on the Funny Farm!

Have you ever found people to be offended by how much you love you dog?  We have found time and time again that people find our love for our dogs to be a form of insanity.  They can't seem to fathom any understanding as to why our hearts have fallen over these mangy mutts or why our entire life encompasses these crazy canines. I know some that are appalled at the fact that we don't have children but instead devote our love to these furry lives, who's unconditional love can not be measured against.  The shock alone of stating we have six dogs is enough to wrinkle brows and stir doubt about our state of mind, but once the door has been opened, my husband is filling them in on our doggy madness that we live by and you can see the silent horror begin to fill their eyes.  They shake their heads as though to love an animal is the most absurd thing they have ever heard. 

Some will never understand the devotion and care that comes from loving a dog that loves with no strings or judgement attached.  That no matter how you love your dog, they will always love you more or the  unconditional love that pierces your heart and is so lost to this world.  What they see as illogical or ridiculous is the very reason us dog lovers exist.  And if loving my dog makes me a little whacky, so be it.  I'll take being dog crazy any day and love every minute of it!

What about you?  Has anyone ever been offended by how much you love your dog?  Do you consider yourself dog crazy?         

OH NO...ANTHROPOMORPHIZING!!

Are you thinking what she's thinking?

Anthropomorphizing:  to treat nonhuman thing as human: to give a nonhuman thing a human form, human characteristics, or human behavior

Call me crazy but is really such a bad word?  Is it really that far fetched that our dogs may think like us and why are humans so quick to deduce that they don't?  Why do we automatically think dog thoughts are so alienated from our own?

SAY WHAT?!?!

 

Yes, I did just fall off the milkbone wagon and I've always claimed to be a little dog nutty, so have some fun with me and join in my crazy dog thoughts.

Dogs have been living with humans for many years and have evolved with us.  Unless you went out into the woods and plucked yourself a wolf pup out of the den, then your dog was handled by and lives in a human world.

Except that I thought of first!!

We seem to be so afraid that we are anthropomorphizing ourselves onto our pets like it is the root of all evil.  Have you ever shared a knowing look between a spouse, partner or friend and knew what the other was thinking or that you were sharing the same thought?  Ever experience it with an animal?  Why would it be so different?  Did you think it was just some strange coincidence?  A fluke of nature that your dog just happened to look at you at that exact moment you said something to him and gave a response?  Did he communicate with one of those all knowing looks that said he understood?  Isn't eye contact the most direct form of communication?  Your dog knows you inside and out, your movement, your language, your lifestyle, isn't it safe to say he may even think along the same way you do?

I was thinking the same thing!  I am a godess!

How many of you have studied your dogs behaviors, movement and body language to know what he is thinking?  Doesn't your dog do the same thing with you?  Dogs are much more receptive to subtle cues and body language and have keener senses of us then we do of them.  We are more aware of how dogs respond to our emotions, yet we can't conceive how they also think in response to us.  In order for us to feel something, there is a thought to go with that feeling.  Wouldn't it logically have be the same for dogs?

Now if you told me your dog took off in your car and stayed out all night drinking beer and playing poker, then I would say your anthropomorphizing, but signaling he was thinking the same thing you were, well that's unconditional love and just plain cool!

TREAT!  TREAT!  TREAT!

    
I'm not saying that every thought a dog has is centered around us but I think we are too quick to dismiss that dogs are complete and separate creature from ourselves.  We are all mammals with the same basic needs of love, shelter, food and water.  What gives us the right to limit a dog's thought to only what we teach them?

Go ahead, call me crazy!  What are your thoughts?

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The Perfect Dogs

 Aren't we perfect just the way we are??

I watched an infomercial about a magical method to train your dog.

I've seen it before and I walk away in shame every time.  I can't afford the five minute solution, which means I will probably be living with problematic dogs forever.
 
I don't know why I watch this infomercial again and again, trying to find the magic answer because I always walk away feeling doomed.  I watched with hope as all of these crazy, rambunctious dogs are turned into the perfect dog, over and over.  Those could be my dogs!  They could be perfect too!  My eyes were glued to screen as this mysterious product solved EVERY dog problem there was, in minutes!!  Why I subjected myself to the torture was way beyond me, but I sat there and wanted one of those perfect dogs in my home.
 
When I finally tore myself away, defeated and hopeless, Daddy was coming home and the dogs were jumping around like crazy.  No where near the perfect dogs on the screen and so far from getting there.  Feeling utterly hopeless, it was playtime and the dogs continued with their insanity until I went out to play with the them.  I had a hard time shaking off the doom I was feeling.  While my dogs ran around wildly, I still wanted one those other dogs that were so perfect.  

Next thing I knew Silver was bringing me her football for a game of fetch and chase.  She teased me with the ball, shaking it in her mouth, while taking off before I could catch her.  Throwing her head back as if laughing with victory.  Then Fiona joined in on the fun, trying to steal the ball from Silver and beat her in the chase for it.  Brut and Zappa were in a mad hunt with Daddy to find the squirrel that just had to be somewhere.  While Chance and Blaze were having a good chasing game waiting for their turn to play with me.  I took a moment to take it all in and I realized I did have the perfect dogs for me.

Six devoted friends that despite all the errors, mishaps, and mistakes I've made, still loved me.  Even with all my shortcomings and lack of experience they were still as happy as could be.  They didn't care that I wasn't perfect and I realized I didn't need the perfect dog either.  I wanted and needed MY dogs and that was good enough for me. 

Cat Crazed Blaze

Blaze isn't allowed around the cats because she becomes crazy around them.  She wasn't taught how to be around cats.  She waits by their door throughout the day and night waiting for the chance to play with them.

I see kitty paws...

Here kitty, kitty...I just want to play with you...

I even save my doggie biscuit for you...

I'm going to wait right here for you until you come out and play with me.

Mommy, I think I hear them calling my name, hurry and open the door.

I promise to be good this time.  (paws crossed)