I don’t own a dog, for reasons I will mention. Though, I am a dog fan. I once told someone, “Dogs are a better judge of human character than humans are.” They are; I have witnessed a dog sniffing out a sketchy human faster than I can say, “dog treats.”
Speaking of dog treats, I am guilty of spoiling others’ dogs. I am good friends with a number of dogs. Most of them are rescue dogs, which is why I heartily encourage any prospective dog owner to check out the Clearfield SPCA. That dog you adopt might not be the prettiest one around, but once he or she gets used to you, you will have a close friend for the life of your fur baby. Part of my spoiling comes from the fact that I am a softie for giving my canine friends dog treats. When I go to Virginia to visit my brother and family, their rescue border collie, who doesn’t see well, takes a sniff of me, and thinks, “He’s here!” I pretty much drain the treats container before I leave for home. When I visit my daughter, there’s a bag of treats in my luggage, for Freya, the rescue pittie. Have you ever had a 70-pound pit bull sit in your lap, and lick your face, because “Treats Daddy” showed up? I have; it happens every time that plane lands in Nevada.
I believe that dogs talk to me, even though they can’t speak. The relationship is kind of like the Beach Boys song –” I’m pickin’ up good vibrations.” And, I do.
You ask, “Why don’t you own a dog?” And, now, we are getting to the heart of the matter.
I love dogs, but I would be a terrible dog owner. There’s a simple reason – I live by myself, and I am in and out a lot. That means that my available dog ower time is dubious at best. I would not subject a dog to having an absentee owner. Perhaps that will change down the line, but right now, I know the reality of the situation.
Since I am out and about a lot, there are a number of places I frequent. My shopping locations are one. I go to the gym. I go play tennis. I go out and officiate tennis. I have been known to go to the Elks. For a person who is retired, there are a number of things on my schedule, which I prefer; I believe that retired people who slow down age faster. But, it doesn’t give me the kind of free time, chase tennis balls time, go for a walk time, that dogs deserve.
However, there are people with no more free time than I, who become dog owners. What do these dog owners do? They take their dog everywhere with them. I recently visited my brother, and we hit a couple of cool craft breweries, which seems to be a recurring theme in my columns.
If I had a dollar for every dog I saw there, I would pay off my mortgage. They were everywhere. I also see them all the time when I’m out shopping. If the day comes when I see one at Sunday Mass, I’ll be changing religions. Since dogs talk to me, and maybe not you, I can tell you this.
Your dog does not want to go to a brewery with you. He is barely tolerating you while you are there, and is hoping that you will go home, and play with him. You’re sitting there, drinking a nice IPA or more, and ignoring him. Your dog is going Biblical, thinking, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
He also does not want to go to the store with you. Dogs care not at all about shopping; they dislike it about as much as I. I have never seen a dog in a store who looked happy, except for a few who got to tour the dog treats aisle. Pretty much, they look as if they are thinking, “All my friends are running around at the dog park, going for walks, and playing fetch. And, here I am, waiting to see which loaf of bread my owner wants to buy. This is ridiculous.” Then, there is the dog owner who ties the dog outside all day, whereupon the dog barks to be let inside, which is all the dog can do. That dog owner needs to be tied out for awhile, to see how he likes it.
Therefore, your dog would like to have a word with you. If you pay attention closely enough, here is what they are saying. “Dog ownership is not an ownership–it is a commitment. Maybe not as much as raising your kids, but it is not too terribly far off. So, pay attention to me! Show me the love! I assure you that you will get it back many times over!”
The ball is in your court. Fido is patiently waiting for your reply.
