Posted by write4change
(here)
I have spent most of the entire day on the web from the links I found here. Forgot the dog who pooped on her new white fleecy blanket and one of her little fuzzy toys. Both now hand washed and drying. I also had to give the stinky dog a bath in the bath tube with me since she is so terrified of everything. She is progressing but will she ever be a dog? Even though a puppy she has no idea how to play and will not chase a ball etc. even in the house. She is literally afraid to extend herself.
I have done a lot of thinking about what I find on this site and how I will evolve here. I find that I come not for the answers but for the questions. And some of the questions are mind boggling despite a lifetime of conscious learning. This body has spent a long time being habituated to judgement so to compensate I spend a long time thinking about my initial reactions. This is a big improvement over a year ago when I just jumped in this site with many assumptions. The only clarity I will find here will be for me. I will have to filter the muddy water for myself and so will everyone else. Getting in someone else's water is only going to stir up more mud for both of us.
The dog is either a problem or a distraction. I thought she would be a solution. I need a dog to make my get up and walk because living in an apartment, walking the dog rain or shine leaves no excuses. So I am using the dog as a crutch to insure a self discipline I fear I lack. I also need a dog to alert me to sound which is getting more difficult for me to hear the door, the phone, etc. The problem is bonding. A puppy usually will bond easily but takes at least a year to train---there is the chewing, the pooping, the accidents, etc. But when you are all done you are friends for life. Buying a quality puppy is an option and it is usually a clean slate. A pound dog has problems because it comes from problems. It either never had a good home or lost a good home and trust, support, and understanding is an issue.
I am easily quilted into rescue and I have done it a lot with haivng owned three ranches. Except for greyhounds I have never had the real deep bonding with rescue as with raising. I don't know if it was me or the dogs. On a ranch deep bonding was not an issue. At the Texas ranch I had five dogs, all raised. Two basenjis, two sckipperkees, and one great dane. Each had their place, their job, their buddy, the ranch, the kid, and me. And I am always the alfa dog.
At the moment I pity this dog and have compassion for her. But I don't respect her as a dog. She does not act like a dog. I am not sure I can love a dog I don't respect. I think she may sense this in some way which makes her more reticent.
Okay alpha dogs--what is my next step or am I over thinking all this. I do understand and work with all my animals on a whole with knowing. I know she is smart and curious. I can always feel smart. Animals like people have a broad range of intelligence and I always choose smart because I respect that and it shows. Basenjis are hard dogs. Much more like cats. They are also problem solvers. If you say come to a basenji--they are very clear about what you want--but you can also see them rolling around with do I or don't I want to come? LOL They only bond with respect like cats and they are not into obedience just because. They are my favorite dog precisely because they are so difficult. The men in my life are also always complex and difficult. LOL
In two hours it will be midnight and I will walk the dog for the last time today and then get up at 6 for the next walk and six hours is pushing it. Sigh.
Re: Here and Now...What's Happening?
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks