Dog’s Life

Many times when we see people, we tend to "classify" them into one type or another. I tend to define them more as a certain breed of dog. Some dogs are all about fun, others just want to sleep. If you head over to the AKC website, they offer a guide to breed characteristics so that you can better know the compatibility for your particular wants and needs. This makes for a more harmonious household for all involved.

Martha’s Vineyard is know for being very "dog-friendly," with dog parks, water bowls outside many stores, and of course stores that sell "dog stuff." People bring their dogs here when they visit and take them everywhere they can. For the most part, people know where their dog will and will not be happy and act accordingly. Often, you can tell a good deal about the person by the dog they own and how they treat their dog.

When I lost my dog, many people asked when I would get another. My answer was, and still is, “I don’t know.” I did not view my dog as "just a dog." I did have to place him with a family when I had to leave the island at one point and it was one of the toughest things I had ever done. The only thing tougher was when I actually lost him.

My view of a dog is similar to that of a child. They need to be monitored to keep them safe, they need more than just food and shelter, and they should be happy. Anything less would be unacceptable and you should not have a dog. (Or children, for that matter.)

All of that being said, I favor Labrador retrievers for my situation and lifestyle. They are friendly, obedient, and have a love for all things playful and food related. When I was not working, I took my dog everywhere. More often the case, I would plan the places I went based on bringing him and spending time running the trails, visiting the dog park, or going to the beaches that allowed him to romp and swim. He was happiest in water; the ocean, ponds, pools, or puddles. (Much to my chagrin.)

Now, I began this installment matching types of people to types of dogs. While I favor the companionship of a Lab, I would not classify myself as one. In fact, I took an online quiz one time that defined the taker as a breed of dog based on your behavioral characteristics. Turns out I am a German shepherd: task oriented, focused, aggressive, and obedient. I’ll own that and more. I prefer work to play and love a task that I can complete, confident that I will be successful in its execution. I even look at my recreational activities as something to be completed in a given time and manner.

Often I notice that dogs and their owners are well matched. I notice that these pairings occur at locations where both dog and owner are happy. The point of being there is not so much out of duty, but one of wanting to be there. Other times I see dogs and owners that are not well matched. Perhaps the husband is walking his wife’s dog or the dog was something that the kids wanted, only to forget after the puppy cuteness wore off. The latter is a sad situation that I rue to see.

My dog was my alter-ego, allowing me to be a bit more relaxed and not so fixated and serious. He was a big teddy bear of a dog that would do anything for food, not that I wouldn’t. Living on the vineyard with a dog gets you into social circles that most “dog-less” people will breach. You might get a smile from a fellow dog owner in a store where others get scowls, especially in August.