Part 1 in my blog series EMOTIONS.
We often hear the saying "Man's best friend (or Woman's) when it comes to talking about our dogs.
But what make this totally different species such a close companion to us?
There is no doubting the incredible bond we build up with our pets, we probably share more secrets, little kisses & emotions with our dogs than any other family member or even our spouses!
This bond between mankind and K9's goes back thousands of years to when we were hunter gatherers and the wolf came alongside us to assist us but also enhance their own chances at survival. Dogs were designed to become and be our companions.
The amazing thing about dogs is the love they have for us goes deep, they bond so deeply with us and two species become one pack. They then rely on us as their pack leaders to supply basic needs such as food, water and comfort. In return they give us their devotion, their unconditional love and lessons into how to live a simple life.
They rely on a calm balanced assertive leader to show them the way and bring calm & happiness into their lives.
So how does such a devotion to each other come about?
I was recently reading a chapter in the bible about LOVE. 1 Corinthians 13 says
"Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; Love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. It is not rude;It is not self seeking; it is not provoked; it does not take into account a wrong endured. It does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.
This passage can speak to us at many levels but as I was thinking of writing my dog blog, it spoke to me how the bond between humans and dogs is totally built on Love.
Read that passage back again slowly and just take it in, let it sink into your mind, this is God's word over our lives teaching us about Love. Of course we can adapt scripture to each other, but it also, for me, sums up the very nature of a dog. They never judge, never carry anger over or hold grudges, they bear everything life throws at them.
Just look at dogs who live with the homeless, that devotion and loyalty is not seen in any other species, more so than even our own.
I once owned a dog called "sooty", he was a border collie X Labrador who as a family we rescued. He had lived his first year with a young couple who had hit hard times and he lived on porridge for that year, this didn't affect Sooty though as he was 100% loyal and loving to that couple, until they had to say goodbye to him. He then adapted and became our loyal and loving boy for the rest of his 18 years.
My point is; as in the scripture above, dogs carry a basic, simple lifestyle and attitude to just love and live with what is, no matter what situation they are put in, they will survive and survive happily within the love and devotion of a human or dog pack.
So in conclusion to my question at the top of the blog, what bonds us?
LOVE , I believe it's LOVE. It's crazy how a mad little furry friend can enter our lives, turn them upside down, make us laugh, make us cry & if yours are like my 3 Yorkies will make you smile more than anything.
They show a love we humans crave for, they make the lonely feel loved, they make the lost feel found, they make mental health issues fade away through distracting us with joy, they help the blind & disabled & bring us a confidence to help us through the dark days. They do not need to speak our language but just know and understand our feelings.
Dogs are a miracle given to mankind with an unbreakable bond. LOVE.
until next time...
