Would you/ Do you own a slobbery dog?

The closest I've come to owning a slobbery dog is having a slobbery cat!  He wipes drool all over my hand when he rubs his head on me. It completely grosses me out.

Our dogs might foam or drool around food or if they are hot. Even though it only happens once in a while and I find it disgusting, it is within reason. 

Some breeds of dogs does drool continuously...I don't think I could handle it.

Could you?

My gag reflexes go on overload when I see a drooling dog.  I don't think it is something I could get used to over time or for my love for a dog.  It is just one of the things that puts me off about dogs and I don't see it changing any time soon.  

So how about you?  Could you live with a breed of dog that slobbers all the time?

 I do not slobber!  It is my love juice.

Another One of Those Things That Only a Dog Can Teach and Heal

There are a few things that God must have devised just for dogs in order to get through to humans.  One of those things I talked about before (on this post) in having to calm and quiet my voice for Brut, because my outburst, especially when there was a dog fight were causing more harm than good.

Another added piece to the puzzle that has also calmed Brut and the household down is soft gestures.  Brut is scared of sudden movement like he is noise.  He becomes immediately on the defense and lowers his head to the ground ready for an attack.

I've had to learn to be gentle in my movements as well as my voice with him.

Brut zen

I've been dealing with some anger issues for a while due to my childhood abuse and PTSD, so it is difficult to release the tension by being quiet.  Like just wanting to punch the couch or wall because of being so frustrated.  Or just wanting to scream.  Or blast my music and rock the walls.

I can't do that with Brut around.  So how did I learn to calm those angry demons?

First by being aware my actions were causing consequences and second by being gentle with Brut, I learned to be gentle with myself.  The more I practice with Brut and being tender to his sudden fear, I learned to be calmer and more loving to myself.  The more I was able to slow down my movements and be able to receive the inner and outer love, the anger dissipated almost daily.  It taught me how to be sensitive to my own needs to not lash out at myself with my anger, which I've done all my life.  Instead I moved towards more of yoga like movements being more aware of my surroundings and myself.

I don't know if I could have learned that from any person or any other dog for that matter.  The only one who could have taught me was Brut.  The aggressive one.  The fearful one.  The one who has my heart in his paw every time while we lean on each other.

And I have to wonder if we continue to bounce off each other with these gentle movements and calm voices to bond even more as we continue healing together.

What do you think?  What has your dog taught you about your anger?

Why Do You Have Dogs?

A question I was wondering the other day.  What do you think draws us specifically to dogs?  There are many of us who have multi-animal households and may favor one species over the over, but I'm wondering what it is about dogs themselves, that you at some point decided you had to have one, or two or three...

While I'm sure most of us could come up with list a mile long about everything we love about dogs, from their physical attributes, their unconditional love, their loving friendship, their companionship, to their funny quirks.  But what do you think drew you into the world of canines?

For me it started very young and it was their unconditional love, being it was the only love I ever received in my life.  I latch on to that love with all I could to make through a childhood of abuse.  I am still overwhelmed to this day that my dogs (and many along the way) have loved me when no one else did.  I still find myself in a state of shock that they do love me.  Sometimes it is more than I can comprehend.

So tell me what do you think the key element is for you and your attraction to dogs?  What about dogs pulls you in their direction?

You can see Mark is drawn to the comfy pillow and lap warmer quality!

Tell me your story!