I am a dog person.  For those of you out there reading who are dog people, you know what I mean.  For those of you reading who are not dog people, thank you for tolerating us.  We do know we are different.

Yes, I refer to my dog as “a people”.  He is a member of my family.  I have never had children.  My dog knows me as “Mommy”.  My mother refers to him as her “grand dog”.  I love her for that.  Am I weird for this quirky corner of my personality?  Sure I am!  Beyond that, I am weird for all of the others that make me who I am!

Through the course of my life, there were very few years that were “dog free”.  Life gets in the way sometimes.  Work, living circumstances, and travel can all take a toll on how much time is available to be devoted to truly embracing a dog.  It is a commitment.  It is a joy… most days!

Owning a dog is a commitment that carries responsibility. I am responsible for taking care of my dog.  He gets nutritious food appropriate for his age and activity level.  He gets preventative and acute medical care.  I also have a responsibility to assure my dog is able to behave appropriately around my family and friends.  There is some lenience in the puppy stages.  However, it is necessary that my dog learn appropriate behaviors and social skills… from me.

My dog goes to school.

As I think about it, the reality is that I go to school so that I can learn how to be a responsible citizen that learns how to respond to my dog and teach him appropriate skills.

It is more realistic to say I go to school and my dog joins me.

This week I had the opportunity to go to a community function to support and celebrate those who are in recovery from an addiction.  It was a joyous celebration, despite the sharing of sad stories about how destructive addiction can be.   Some of those in attendance were therapy dogs and their owners.

Working dogs.

These dogs have jobs.  They go to health facilities to give people a reason to smile. Some are able to be a head resting on the lap of a person in crisis to help them focus and calm down.  Some of them go to libraries to allow children to read to them.  I have great admiration for the dogs and their owners, spending hours preparing to hold these jobs.

My Jaxon is not a therapy dog.

Better said, my Jaxon is not THAT kind of therapy dog.

Jaxon is, however, MY therapy dog.

Despite the times in his puppyhood that he drives me bonkers, he is a lovely companion.  He gives me someone to talk to when the house is quiet.  He takes me for walks.  He barks when someone comes to the house in the absence of a doorbell.  He is a goofy clown who can make me smile and outright laugh.

That is good therapy.

I thank people like those who work at Red Ball Dog Academy.  Because of them, Jaxon is learning to be a good dog because I am learning to be a good leader.  I thank those who provide the Bark Park.  They give the community a place for practicing social skills and positive interactions with space to run, daycare services (yes, Jaxon goes to daycare), grooming, and overnight camping. 

Having a good dog is having a happy dog.  Dogs, like people, need something to do.  Just being present on a couch for a furry snuggle is a great job for any dog.  Some, like Jaxon, need more to keep their mind occupied and their energy level satisfied.  So far, I am keeping up!  He deserves that from me.  It is my job.

I am sending a big shout out to all of the people who love dogs.  What a great breed of people!

Even those of you who may not count yourselves as “dog people”, you cannot help but appreciate a good dog… even if it is from a distance.

Jaxon and I will keep working to be sure he is a dog who will make people smile.  Our work together is a labor of love.