DOG PROS
Dogs are wonderful, loyal companions, capable
of unconditional love. The right dog has been known to "cure"
a teenager's sullen nature, or be the only creature capable
of communicating with the child. If properly trained, the
dog is a pleasure to take along for walks, and can provide
the excuse or the reason for an otherwise sedentary person
to take a walk. Also, a dog will guard its territory jealously,
and warn of intruders. If properly trained, the dog can be
integrated into the family, and be a welcome addition to the
rituals of entertaining.
A quick word about training: in the broadest realm of the
word "knowledge," what a dog has to know is finite.
Potty-training ranks at the top, then the simple commands
of "sit," "stay," "heel" etc.
It is easy to get disconsolate over what the dog doesn't know,
but you will find that a few sessions with a trainer or doggy
school and a patient system of positive reinforcement can
result in a peachy pooch experience in a matter of weeks or
just a few short months. To be wary of getting a dog because
of the training issues is not a good reason to shy away from
getting a dog. However, if you examine the section on "pre-pooch"
and find that you could not foresee many of these other issues,
that is a different story.
The long and short of it is that a dog will reward you with
love, affection, de-stress you, and, for all that joy, you
love it in return, and will only want to give it the best
possible, as you would any other loving creature in your life.
DOG POEM
What is it about dogs?
I always wondered, but not too closely.
They stink.
They jump over you.
They slobber.
And the bark
that should be threatening
only to intruders
implodes and explodes
in the most inopportune moments.
But walking on the Strand
in Hermosa Beach,
I watched dogs and their owners,
seeing the bond
transcending all else.
And so, in my new life, I got a dog.
I realized
there is even more inconvenience
than I had anticipated.
Dog-owners trade stories,
ask how many times you walk your canine,
exchange dog-training and clean-up tips.
But
there IS something to the chaos
of letting in a loving creature,
its very unpredictability
laced with humor and exasperation,
but also, enriching,
feeding that need
to be accountable,
to love and be loved in return.
It seems that those who have been there
would not exchange it
for absolute control.
One sunny day,
I see a frail woman with a walker,
thinking she is exercising her Great Dane,
while he takes patient baby steps,
keeping her company, right by her side.
And then I know
THAT'S what it's all about.
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