|
||||
| Lopez Island | Orcas Island | Visitor's Guide | ||
                        |
||
| Email this page to a friend | ||
| |||||||||||||||||
DAVID BENTLEY'S WEEKLY COLUMN |
Previous
|
|
BEST FRIENDS
My neighbor has a dog. When my neighbor's friend brings her two dogs to visit, it is a sight to behold. The three dogs charge toward one another with overwhelming happiness. They greet each other with genuine affection, and immediately begin to play. They run, romp, bump, chase and have a wonderful time until they become exhausted. Then they collapse in a furry heap and nap together. When they wake up refreshed, playtime continues for as long as the new energy spurt lasts. Although the dogs are quite different, they love being together. My neighbor's dog has short, black fur. The visitors have long, brown fur. My neighbor's dog lives alone. The visitors live as a pair. My neighbor's dog is aggressive and protective. The visitors are more affectionate and less defensive. Sometimes the visitors gang up on my neighbor's dog in a game. Other times my neighbor's dog teams up with one visitor against the other. It is the joy of being together that seems most important to the three canines. If anyone gets hurt, an immediate timeout ensues. After a period of nudging, licking, panting, drooling, and general recuperation, the game continues without argument. Occasionally one dog needs some time alone, and that need is respected by the other two who continue to play. I've never seen the dogs judge or shun each other. They don't seem to care about their breeding, appearance, temperament, or intelligence. They don't seem to waste time analyzing their principles or motives. Instead, they just enjoy being together and having fun with very little argument. They don't even need expensive toys. A stick, a piece of rope, or a scrap of cardboard can easily become part of the game, and no one seems to care about brands or styles. No wonder dogs are our best friends. Perhaps one day we'll learn a lesson or two on friendship from our dogs.
|
|
|
SAN JUAN ISLANDER © 2008 |
|
