The Dog Star—I Gotta Be Me
(The Dog Star is a symbol of power, will, and steadfastness of purpose, and exemplifies the One who has succeeded in bridging the lower and higher consciousness. – Astrological Definition)
We took the dogs to the annual blessing of the animals in the parking lot of the school of Our Lady of Mercy Church nearby. There were about 50 dogs (plus some cats and one gerbil) and a hundred people at the brief and always rewarding ceremony, celebrated by one of the priests.
Koufax, of course, stands out, with most people asking just what the heck he is. (In fact, Buddy was the only Beagle, which made him quite happy.) Kids grab at his fur and adults get close, and he’s quite docile with them. However, he did snap at two other, large dogs, doing his alpha thing. He’s not crazy about canine socializing.
A new book about the most famous Shepherd of all, Rin Tin Tin (the original, silent movie dog), makes the point that if you have to show a Shepherd something more than once, the problem is with you, not the dog. They are bright, great with kids, and will defend you with their lives. But like all of us, they have their own idiosyncrasies, and Koufax prefers not to socialize with strange dogs.
He’s aloof.
I don’t demand he act like a chatty poodle or a gregarious lab. It’s why I don’t attempt to train our dogs to be performing seals. I feel they deserve to lead their own lives, within some rules that enable productive social interaction (use the yard, not the kitchen).
We shouldn’t judge others by our own standards. Some of the most interesting people I know, whose company I enjoy, tend to be very quiet most of the time. Some others snap at people who get in their space. I can allow for it. I can even imagine, though it’s a stretch, that some of my habits aren’t those that others would hold dear.
But I’m pretty flexible, so long as no one tugs on my fur.
© Alan Weis 2011. All rights reserved.
