Neurosis

Many of you who've read my blog and know me, know how very neurotic I am about my dogs.  I'm also sure many of you can sympathize as you, too, are as wacky as I am.  This being said, I know that the standards I hold for my dogs' care may be a bit high - they're food is the best I feel I can offer, home prepared with love.  Their bodies are canvassed daily for any anomalies, lumps, holes, etc.  They're included in all family activities, taken on lovely walks, and enjoy sleeping on the bed (actually all the household furniture).  A dog's life in our home is pretty plush.

There are some dogs that come to the clinic that make me a bit sad.  They're not mistreated, but their owners seem a bit distracted, preoccupied.  I think their priorities are different than mine, or maybe I'm being judgmental, I suspect a bit of both.  I can't help but wonder why certain creatures end up living where they do.  Does that habit of whistling at the dog annoy it?  Do the owners realize their dog's lameness is painful?  Some of observations are my job to clarify or shed light on, but others are just people and animals whose personalities may conflict.  I know a girl whose dog refuses to kiss her, won't do much for her at home, but loves her friends.  The dog actually snaps at her but no one else.  Is this dog like some sort of prisoner in her own home?  Imagine having a family that you despise, or are utterly annoyed by ALL the time.  


I'm not sure that I'm looking at this the right way.  It's said that for every old shoe, there's an old sock that goes with it.  Maybe these dogs are thrilled to have such delightfully aloof humans.  Maybe some dogs would consider me a smothering whack-job.  Maybe our girls think I'm a smothering whack-job...

I'll just go bake them some liver treats to make them happy..."Walkies, girls!?"