Dogs as Accessories

Dogs being used as accessories is not a new idea by any means. Aristocracy often used dogs as a way to display their wealth and power. The concept was that the head of the household was rich enough to feed another, useless member, of the family. I'm talking about the dogs that were "just pets" or accessories, not the dogs used in hunting or herding. The French fell in love with the German "poedel" or poodle, and hence many thought its name was French Poodle. The different clips became like fashion beacons.

Nowadays, though, dogs are dressed and many treated as people! True, the Chihuahua will be cold in Michigan's unforgiving winter period, but why get a Chihuahua to live in Michigan in the first place? These dogs first lived in Mexico, and they belong in warm weather. Same idea applies to Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes. These dogs are well adapted to snow and the cold. To them summers in Florida must seem like a very realistic version of hell.

You see, climate is not the only factor. The latest pooch in Chanel is not necessarily cold but its owner certainly is. A dog is a living, breathing animal who deserves respect and to be treated as it's supposed to be treated. As it needs to be treated. As a result, many dogs are confused. They are treated like people, but they don't have the same capabilities, mind and neither do they have to. This is why we love them. Dogs have a unique set of abilities that are worth appreciating. Their noses are much keener than ours. Their depth of perception is greater than ours. Their actual vision, however, is inferior -- at least during the day. They walk on all fours, think in terms of smell translated into pictures, and have a limited, albeit impressive, understanding of our language. Their loyalty, most people who own dogs will tell you, is unparallelled in the human world. And their joie de vivre is infectuous.

Let's treat the dogs in our lives as what they are -- dogs. To treat them as more than dogs implies that being a dog is not good enough for us. But true dog lovers love their dogs as what they are -- members of the canid species. They don't need to be "promoted" to our human status, because they're fine just the way they are. In fact, that's how we expand our limited selves and discover the joy and mystery of interacting with another species. If you're not ready for that, get a human companion instead.

Photo courtesy of Josefuteimo

Field Work

A few days ago, I returned from a family vacation in Cape Cod, Massachussets. It's a beautiful set of small towns bordered by breathtaking miles of coast, engulfed by trees of many colors, and dotted with picturesque old houses and scenic roads. At the same time, I was lucky enough to be able to meet specimens of the dog breed I was researching as well. I call this the field work of my research time, as it's not information gathered from a book or interview, but in the real world.

I'm not going to mention the breed I'm looking into, as I believe that everyone has their own personal preferences, taste and personality when it comes to picking out breeds that match them. I don't want to interfere with that at all. I'm an expert when it comes to picking out a breed for me, just like you are in picking out a breed for yourself.

That said, after countless hours researching, reading, interviewing, e-mailing and perusing images, I was quiet and elated at seeing the creatures in real life. They are not a common breed, and these were the first dogs of its kind I had ever seen. Were they everything I had imagined? Yes and no. Yes, they have a lovely expression and strong built. No, they are more endearing, sweeter, and milder in temperament than I could have imagined. Then again, that's thanks to the work of a true professional breeder.

After having been delighted on paper and screen, I can say that I can really see myself owning this type of dog. I'm committed to providing the kind of home that he/she would thrive in, with love, exercise, care, food and mental stimulation. My search for the right breed for this time of my life is over.

Photo courtesy of Jaxxon