Can you be friends with a dog, an animal?! In many ways it may sound crazy, and yet it's not. A friendship is based on much more than words, it's based on feelings and togetherness.
The bond with a dog can be felt just as strongly as the bond with a human. Many would argue that the relationship with a dog can be experienced as stronger than with a human. The dog does not judge, the dog does not hold grudges, the dog loves unconditionally – qualities that not all humans possess.
I have friends who have been affected by stress – their rescue became their dog. No matter if they had cried all day, scolded the dog, sat staring into the air or threw things – their dog stood happily looking at them.
I have friends who have gotten divorced and their dog has faithfully slept with them on the couch for months, until one day they got up and were themselves again.
I have friends who grew up with dogs, and they talk about the dog as their confidant. The confidant who followed them from childhood to youth. The confidant who was by their side when things were difficult. The confidant who always understood them.
I have a mother who has loved animals for as long as I can remember. She talks to all animals, she cuddles with all animals, and she cares for all animals. But most of all, she loves her little dog, who has followed her through thick and thin for 9 years.
In the time after my father's death, the dog took on a special meaning, it became my mother's spiritual guide. The dog could sense when she needed closeness and comfort, so it would come to her side and lay its little head on her thigh. My mother talked to the dog about the longing, the memories and the love.
They became inseparable, every time my mother got up the dog followed. My mother cherished the dog as one would cherish the most precious thing one has.
My dogs sensed her sadness too, they would whine about her and snuggle up to her. She would tell them how she felt, what she had done and how lovely they were. When I spoke to her on the phone, she would end every conversation with a greeting to the dogs.
The dog helped my mother through the grief, the loss and the longing. Today my mother says: I don't know what I would have done without the dog – I think I would have broken down.
Is it friendship? Call it what you want, it's worth it <3
Behind the scenes of this week's blogger:
Ea has 3 female dogs, Honey, 11 years old, Luna, 2 years old and Maggie, 9 weeks old. Her oldest dog is a dachshund mix that she brought home from her time in Greenland. The other two are cocker mixes with duracell batteries. Ea trains Nose Work with all her dogs, it is a fantastic activity/sport. Luna is environmentally trained and socially trained from an early age, as she will hopefully one day be used as a pedagogical "tool".
It is said that the dog is man's best friend.
Can you be friends with a dog, an animal?! In many ways it may sound crazy, and yet it's not. A friendship is based on much more than words, it's based on feelings and togetherness.
The bond with a dog can be felt just as strongly as the bond with a human. Many would argue that the relationship with a dog can be experienced as stronger than with a human. The dog does not judge, the dog does not hold grudges, the dog loves unconditionally – qualities that not all humans possess.
I have friends who have been affected by stress – their rescue became their dog. No matter if they had cried all day, scolded the dog, sat staring into the air or threw things – their dog stood happily looking at them.
I have friends who have gotten divorced and their dog has faithfully slept with them on the couch for months, until one day they got up and were themselves again.
I have friends who grew up with dogs, and they talk about the dog as their confidant. The confidant who followed them from childhood to youth. The confidant who was by their side when things were difficult. The confidant who always understood them.
I have a mother who has loved animals for as long as I can remember. She talks to all animals, she cuddles with all animals, and she cares for all animals. But most of all, she loves her little dog, who has followed her through thick and thin for 9 years.
In the time after my father's death, the dog took on a special meaning, it became my mother's spiritual guide. The dog could sense when she needed closeness and comfort, so it would come to her side and lay its little head on her thigh. My mother talked to the dog about the longing, the memories and the love.
They became inseparable, every time my mother got up the dog followed. My mother cherished the dog as one would cherish the most precious thing one has.
My dogs sensed her sadness too, they would whine about her and snuggle up to her. She would tell them how she felt, what she had done and how lovely they were. When I spoke to her on the phone, she would end every conversation with a greeting to the dogs.
The dog helped my mother through the grief, the loss and the longing. Today my mother says: I don't know what I would have done without the dog – I think I would have broken down.
Is it friendship? Call it what you want, it's worth it <3
Behind the scenes of this week's blogger:
Ea has 3 female dogs, Honey, 11 years old, Luna, 2 years old and Maggie, 9 weeks old. Her oldest dog is a dachshund mix that she brought home from her time in Greenland. The other two are cocker mixes with duracell batteries. Ea trains Nose Work with all her dogs, it is a fantastic activity/sport. Luna is environmentally trained and socially trained from an early age, as she will hopefully one day be used as a pedagogical "tool".