Doggie Love

Dogs. How do I love thee?

Many of us profess to be dog lovers, but how exactly do we love our dogs? Some claim to be owned by their dogs. Some throw parties for their fur babies. A few drive miles to bring their dog to the best vet. A number scrimp on personal expenses but lavish their dog with professional grooms and cute clothes. Several sleep with their doggie companions. A few take leave from work to nurse a puppy or a sick dog. A handful lock lips with their canine objects of their affection.

Because I love my dogs, I make myself the master – the alpha dog. I am the master not because my name Enrico means lord of the household, but because I am the best provider and defender for the pack. Among themselves, I let my dogs decide on their hierarchy within the pack. Only then will they have peace. I intervene with dog nature only if it may lead to serious injury or God forbid, death. As the alpha dog, I make the rules that serve best the pack interest.

I come from the school of tough love. I do not spoil my dogs. I ignore them if they bark or yip excessively - simply to get attention. I greet, check, groom, walk or play with my dogs, but I do not smother them with attention or affection. I stop on my tracks if they pull on their leash. I say no when they nip or tear at furniture. I firmly but gently hold my ground when they try to wiggle their way out of medicine intake, tooth brushing, coat brushing, bathing or nail cutting.

I gradually expose them to realities of modern day dog life – that there are other dogs in the pack, that there are other human masters apart from me, that other dogs exist outside the safe confines of our kennel, that they must not cower in the face of other dogs or people, that they must learn to differentiate between the friendly dog and the aggressive one, that cars may run them down if they break out of the leash, that many attractive smelling stuff on the street actually pose dangers to them, and that despite the risks and dangers, the world is still a beautiful and fun place.

I give only what they need. They get premium food but miss out on doggie treat junk. They get a good metal crate for a den, but not a fancy one that pleases more the eye and pride of their master. They have toys but not every cute little object that I see. They get good grooming products but not necessarily the most expensive available. I am not blessed with a sprawling lawn, but I let the little ones run around in the garage and walk the mid-sized ones within the neighborhood.

I love them by letting them be the dogs that they are. They are valued like family but they are treated like the dogs that they are. I carry no illusion that they are humans. They are companions, yes, but they are not meant to fill in for the human partner or kid I do not have. I love them for the joy that they bring me in being their playful, attentive and beautiful selves. I love them for what they are.

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