The Dog Blog

“My dogs are my children.” This is a phrase I’ve often used to answer the question “Do you have children?” It has become an automatic response I utter without really thinking about what it means to me personally, or how it’s perceived by others.

I think I initially used it to brand myself as a dog lover and as a way to deflect follow up questions by people fascinated by the childless status of married people. But despite the fact that I sometimes refer to them as children, I view, value, treat, and train them as dogs.

The relationship I have with my dogs is very much influenced by the fact that although I view them as fellow living beings, there are more differences than similarities between us. To be sure, I engage in some anthropomorphizing when it comes to my dogs, but I know that treating them as fellow humans establishes a standard which they cannot live up to.  We may share similar basic needs, but their motivations are not mine.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) issued regulations in 1991 to permit the use of a service animals in public. This required modifications in policies in such places as restaurants, hotels, retail establishments, theaters and concert halls. In short, this meant that service animals accompanying persons with disabilities had to be admitted in places that otherwise had policies excluding pets or other animals.

March begins with strong sun but cold temperatures. A conflict of desire. Do I want the warm up that will = melting snow and ice. Add the melt to an already over-saturated yard equals unquantifiable mud. Add in 4 dogs in residence and a steady stream of canine visitors and it could be a disaster. I fear Bubbles is in the same quandary heralding the segue from puppyhood to early adolescence. One day she's the sweet little cooperative pup reveling in attention, seeking petting and reliably doing a multiple set of directions. The next she stares back splay legged giving defiant looks of "I don't think so" and attitude. The next she's all emotional and afraid of her shadow and skittish.  Then back to confident, defiant and mischievous. I've gone through this before with both dogs and daughters. Now, however, I have both species to contend with.