Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Family Dog

Because dogs are normally so pliable and friendly with everyone we can be fooled into thinking that dog would live comfortably in any home. The truth is that dogs are pack animals who are quite attached to their own family members.

I've noticed it especially with Rusty (Ron & Gerry's dog) and Baker and Bailey (Kim's dogs). They are happy to be with me but so much of their attention is on the door, hoping their real family will show up again.

Last night Rusty seemed very calm and contented to be here but as soon as his owners arrived he nearly turned himself inside out with happiness. He tried to herd them out the door and back to "their" home because that's where he knows he belongs. They were equally happy to see him, their late-in-life puppy son.

I remember when we had our dog, Corky, and the greeting he'd shower on us when we'd been away from the house. It could be minutes, hours, or days but he'd be just as ecstatic to see us again. We were his family. Even blood family doesn't throw themselves into ecstasy at reunions like your dog does.

Corky has been gone for many years now but his wonderful qualities and the love we had for each other will never be forgotten.

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