Love, but not Like? Like, but not Love? Feelings are Messy.
Have you ever had a dog that you loved, but didn't like? If you have, you're not alone. Last week I asked readers what was on their mind and what they'd like to talk about. In response, loyal reader HFR wrote "Having a dog you love but not like." That comment opened a flood gate of similar comments from people in the same situation. It's not something that we talk about often, is it? When it came up, I suspect it was a relief to many dog lovers. But truth be told, surely it's impossible to be in love, and like, with every dog we have ever had. I wonder, though, if we all have the assumption that if we were good people, we would love or like all of our dogs equally. And if we don't Read More
What’s on Your Mind?
Every once in a while I reach out and ask readers what they'd like to talk about. When I started this blog twelve years ago, I thought I might need to do so because I'd run out of topic ideas. That's never happened--animals and the people who love them are a never-ending source of inquiry. I have some topics in the hopper, but lately I've been wondering about what YOU want to talk about. I suspect that this is in part because I'm been "Safe at Home" for three months now, and am feeling a tad isolated. I am aware every moment how lucky I am to have Jim, the dogs and cats, the farm, and so many good friends and family members. That doesn't mean that even the luckiest among us aren't cut off Read More
Keep Walking! (When Introducing New Dogs)
Introducing dogs can be great fun. There's nothing like watching two dogs meet and begin playing to soften your heart and brighten your day. However, as we all know, that's not always how it goes. Many dogs are uncomfortable when greeting an unfamiliar dog, including, as it turns out, our new guy, Skip. He grew up in Ireland, undoubtedly surrounded by other Border Collies, and perhaps an occasional Jack Russell. As a result, we've learned, all Border Collies are potential new friends, and dogs of other breeds just don't look right. He's such a stable, well-balanced dog that this only means he tenses up when a hound or Golden charges up to greet him (sample size = 2). That happened last Read More