"The more I know men the more I like my dog." Mark Twain
Each week I look for an encounter with an animal for the blog. In the winter, the animals are a bit sparse. Even the birds aren’t frequenting the birdfeeder. It may have something to do with the hawk and owl that decided my yard is their new home. The owl stays in the front yard while the hawk takes the backyard and the neighbor’s yard. The only animal I continued to see despite the cold is the dog. I even dream about dogs.
Humans and dogs have been together since early primitive humans gathered around the fire. One working hypothesis states that a wolf-like creature followed humans around because they were a great source of food leaving bones and other discarded food about. The creatures would remain outside the fire ring and would set up an alarm when anything approached giving the humans an early warning system. Not too surprisingly, humans intentionally fed the dog-like creatures to insure their continued appearance. This was the beginning of tying dogs to humans. The actual ancestor of dogs no longer exists, but was part of the wolf family.
Dogs protect their human companions. They are also a source of unconditional love. Many people feel a spiritual connection with their canine, even insisting that a previous dog had reincarnated in a current pet. At the Salem witch trials, two dogs and a horse were convicted of being witches. Of course, that was a time of hysteria and paranoia, but the animal could have been accused of being familiars who aided the alleged witches. More likely, they attacked when their owner was taken.
There are so many breeds of dogs, and each has its own traits and symbolism. Today, I will spotlight the dog, in general. Dogs are the boy scout of animals because they offer loyalty and devotion. Mark Twain is quoted as saying, “The more I know men the more I like my dog.” Some people may have thought this was one of his humorous quips. The man who was known for his funny takes on life had a bittersweet life with those he loved dying before him including his wife and three children. He was forced to take around the world speaking engagements to pay his bills. It could be only a dog was there to offer comfort without giving advice.
Dogs are aware as demonstrated by their setting up the alarm with someone enters their territory. They can also be attuned to spiritual presences too. I’m sometimes get spooked by my dog going to the foyer and staring at it, sometimes he hurries away as if frightened, which makes me wonder what he senses.
If a dog comes to you as a totem animal, it has arrived to protect. There are numerous stories of dogs saving their owners from danger. My own dog who is on the shy side, somewhat cowardly, jumped in front of me and growled when a stray dog charged me. I’m not sure who was more afraid, but he was willing to put his life on the line for me. It wasn’t a thought-out decision, it was more of a reflex. Hard to say, how many people would have done the same. Dogs have shown the same courageous spirit protecting other animals from the family cat to baby chicks.
The Pit Bull in the early 1900’s was used as a nanny dog by those who could not afford a baby sister. The breed was very loyal to the family and often saved children from drowning or wandering into traffic. Only the practice of modern breeders has contributed to aggressive dog attacks. Any dog can be made mean just as a child can be become a bully if mistreated.
Do you find yourself dreaming of dogs or a puppy? It symbolizes intuition, generosity, and fidelity. A dog suggests good intentions, friendship and future success. A barking dog is a sign to be more aware. Something is happening that you’ve been ignoring that you need to pay attention to.
A dog will love and honor you even when no one else will. When my purebred dog was troubled with the deafness, blindness, and canine dementia, my rescue dog would guide the blind dog around the yard even shepherding her up the stairs to the house. When the dog’s teeth, could no longer chew the pig ear, my rescue dog chewed the ear to soften it up before pushing it up to the aging canine’s mouth. Not sure, if I can get anyone to chew my food when my teeth no longer work.
The more interesting thing about this unconditional love my rescue dog is that the purebred dog had never been that nice to him. She often stole treats and bones from him. Somehow, my rescue dog overlooked this and gave help when assistance was needed. My goal is to be more like my dog.
Dog Connections
Humans and dogs have been together since early primitive humans gathered around the fire. One working hypothesis states that a wolf-like creature followed humans around because they were a great source of food leaving bones and other discarded food about. The creatures would remain outside the fire ring and would set up an alarm when anything approached giving the humans an early warning system. Not too surprisingly, humans intentionally fed the dog-like creatures to insure their continued appearance. This was the beginning of tying dogs to humans. The actual ancestor of dogs no longer exists, but was part of the wolf family.
Dogs protect their human companions. They are also a source of unconditional love. Many people feel a spiritual connection with their canine, even insisting that a previous dog had reincarnated in a current pet. At the Salem witch trials, two dogs and a horse were convicted of being witches. Of course, that was a time of hysteria and paranoia, but the animal could have been accused of being familiars who aided the alleged witches. More likely, they attacked when their owner was taken.
There are so many breeds of dogs, and each has its own traits and symbolism. Today, I will spotlight the dog, in general. Dogs are the boy scout of animals because they offer loyalty and devotion. Mark Twain is quoted as saying, “The more I know men the more I like my dog.” Some people may have thought this was one of his humorous quips. The man who was known for his funny takes on life had a bittersweet life with those he loved dying before him including his wife and three children. He was forced to take around the world speaking engagements to pay his bills. It could be only a dog was there to offer comfort without giving advice.
Dogs are aware as demonstrated by their setting up the alarm with someone enters their territory. They can also be attuned to spiritual presences too. I’m sometimes get spooked by my dog going to the foyer and staring at it, sometimes he hurries away as if frightened, which makes me wonder what he senses.
If a dog comes to you as a totem animal, it has arrived to protect. There are numerous stories of dogs saving their owners from danger. My own dog who is on the shy side, somewhat cowardly, jumped in front of me and growled when a stray dog charged me. I’m not sure who was more afraid, but he was willing to put his life on the line for me. It wasn’t a thought-out decision, it was more of a reflex. Hard to say, how many people would have done the same. Dogs have shown the same courageous spirit protecting other animals from the family cat to baby chicks.
The Pit Bull in the early 1900’s was used as a nanny dog by those who could not afford a baby sister. The breed was very loyal to the family and often saved children from drowning or wandering into traffic. Only the practice of modern breeders has contributed to aggressive dog attacks. Any dog can be made mean just as a child can be become a bully if mistreated.
Do you find yourself dreaming of dogs or a puppy? It symbolizes intuition, generosity, and fidelity. A dog suggests good intentions, friendship and future success. A barking dog is a sign to be more aware. Something is happening that you’ve been ignoring that you need to pay attention to.
A dog will love and honor you even when no one else will. When my purebred dog was troubled with the deafness, blindness, and canine dementia, my rescue dog would guide the blind dog around the yard even shepherding her up the stairs to the house. When the dog’s teeth, could no longer chew the pig ear, my rescue dog chewed the ear to soften it up before pushing it up to the aging canine’s mouth. Not sure, if I can get anyone to chew my food when my teeth no longer work.
The more interesting thing about this unconditional love my rescue dog is that the purebred dog had never been that nice to him. She often stole treats and bones from him. Somehow, my rescue dog overlooked this and gave help when assistance was needed. My goal is to be more like my dog.
Dog Connections
- Fidelity
- Loyalty
- Assistance
- Intelligence
- Obedience
- Protection
- Community
- Cooperation
- Resourcefulness
- Communication
- Sensory Perception
- Unconditional Love
- Assistance/service
- Acceptance
- Friendship
- Protection
- Reliability
- Nobleness
- Trustworthiness