What I learn from my dog

I will admit that I am not the most loved human in my dog's eyes. I am the second human, the one that feeds, and scolds, but goes on big walks in any type of weather. This makes me respectable, and at times exciting but Tess (dog) doesn’t stare out a window looking for me to come home like she does with Ellery. She doesn’t throw herself at my feet and paw me to death when I jump out of the car. But this is okay with me. My friend Claire said that Tess and I have a mutual understanding of one another--- a respect that goes both ways.

My husband says that Tess and I are exactly alike- we are both moody and prone to extreme highs and lows. As long as we are both doing something exciting or moving around we are very happy and easy going....but as soon as either of us stops and its time for just being at home for a long period of time, we go into some sort of funk. Either falling asleep or glaring eyes at passersby....Waiting for the next event like meal time or a walk or car ride.

However (and I am fully aware that I am comparing my moods and self to a four legged animal)....Tess is more of an extrovert where I am not. When we are walking down the street she cannot help but throw herself at the nearest human even if they show absolutely no sign of wanting to pat her. She thinks everyone is her friend and I am pretty sure she would follow the next willing participant home. Even though she feels intense guilt for disobeying her humans and charging nose first into the persons crotch....she can't help herself. She just wants to be loved! However give her a dog walking by and she goes crazy....she wants nothing to do with the dog for several minutes. Maybe we are more alike than I think....put me in a room with animals and I am very happy...but put me in a room with my own species and I have no idea how to act but awkward.

I will never understand people who don't love dogs-- even though I am more of a cat person ( I like that they choose when they want to hang out with you)....watching my husband with Tess dog is one of the highlights of my day. Sometimes I even find myself getting jealous watching how much fun they are having together- running around the yard at full speeds kicking up sticks and leaves and narrowly avoiding my garden.

We choose the morose puppy when we picked Tess from the litter...and I am very glad we got her out of all the other little whining black and brown lumps.

She is my fearless walking partner through sun, snow, and rain... she is a protector at night when Ellery is gone for an evening. She teaches me to be a bit more social. And she motivates me to push myself a little bit more on walks. And most of all she teaches me to be excited at the little things in life--- like how great a large field is...I watch her sneaking over to the field and throwing herself backwards onto the cold ground...rolling back and forth in complete happiness.