[ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: "And they called it puppy love"
- From: Pinehillgsds@xxxxxxx
- To: showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 25 May 2007 10:48:25 EDT
We like to think our dogs "love" in human terms, the only ones we understand
really, and we all have dozens of stories to illustrate our belief that they
DO in fact love, but I'm not so sure.
Perhaps what we call love, grief, compassion and on some level understanding
is really pack behavior, age old survival instinct or just plain instinct.
Dogs obviously aren't solitary animals and a good many of them "invite" us to
glimpse their world and even more seem to enjoy ours, but have you ever sent
a dog away for a few weeks to a handler, worried about how they'll possibly
manage to exist without you <G> and have them "love" their new person in a
matter of days? AND (fickle things!) love them years later when their paths
cross on a show grounds? Ever have a bitch in for breeding who acted as if you
in fact whelped her within a few days? What about service dogs who transfer
their "love" in a matter of weeks or months from breeder to foster family to
trainer to handicapped individual? Think of the dogs we have in the Middle
East that transfer their loyalty when handlers are rotated.
I know many dogs who are generous, patient, kind, forgiving...what we would
call "good natured" in a person, but is it really the same thing? Probably
not. Some are bullies and hard headed, again, we humanize these things, but
what we're most probably observing are genetics, pack behaviors and results of
early socialization (or lack thereof).
It doesn't do much harm to humanize our companions. If you think back to
the lot of domestic animals through the industrial revolution, it was a hard
one. Wonderful works of fiction lead to the development of humane societies
and raised awareness re the plights of animals. (I'd guess for most, it'd be
harder to abuse an animal if you think they "feel" what we do.)
Most of our dogs trust us, they invite us to play, they willingly perform
tasks for us, and because we have been invited into their pack, they protect us
and what is ours because we are "theirs". I know mine enjoy their
lifestyle:) We groom them and the softer among them "groom us back" with
kisses.
(Ever notice, a truly dominant dog isn't much of a kisser?)
I'd like to THINK they love, and I'd like to think they realize how much
they're loved but I've lived with a pack of dogs for far too long to discount
the role pack behavior plays in how we view their responses....I like to think
I
can be rational...until I hold a graying head in my hands and look into the
eyes that meet my gaze and "rational" goes right out the window:)
Kathy, member GSDCA, DVGSDC
three generations of Dual Titled TC'd Champions live here!
visit www.geocities.com/pinehillgsds
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