Family Matters
Why dogs are a best friend
By Isabelle Southcott
I love my dog.
There I've said it. I love my dog. Okay, Hunter isnt really my dog, he belongs to my son Matthew but I still love him. The entire family does, for that matter.
Its a funny thing about people and pets. There are people who love animals and there are people who dont love animals. I usually find I get on better with pet people than non-pet people. I think there must be something that animal people have in common that people who dont like animals dont have. People who dont like animals must be missing a specific gene or something.
My first dog was Alexander Rufus of Shubendorf. He was a magnificent Nova Scotia Duck Toller. My father refused to have him "fixed" because he thought it was cruel and unnecessary punishment to castrate a male dog. I am happy to report that my father (now 81) is better educated in that vein.
Our next dog was Betsy the Roaming Beagle. As you guessed, she liked to roam. I remember Besty being brought home in the front seat of a taxi on several occasions. She was an escape artist who didnt like city living and so, after many taxi trips home, Betsy found new owners and a new home in the country. Both were happy.
And then was Kisi--so named because we were watching Alex Haleys mini series "Roots" on TV when she joined our family. Everyone loved Kisi and she lived to the ripe old age of 15.
Next came the English Setters. There were Kelly, Jenna, Cindy, Tory and Ceilidh. They were beautiful and lovable but not the brightest dogs Ive ever met. I often thought their brains were located in that little bump in the top of their head. I spent a few years working with Ann Seale at Dogwood Kennels with Ceilidh and only made it to Level 4! To this day I maintain that Ceilidh was the slow learner, not me.
And so it was back to the duck tollers and Hunter Pumpkin. I have to say without a word of doubt that he is the best dog we have ever had. He entered our lives at the right time. He found us when Matthew needed him the most. When I needed him the most. He is friend and confidante to my 11 and 13 year olds. That little orange ball of fluff is always happy to see us, loves us unconditionally and makes every day and every walk a giant adventure.
He is, as Matthew calls him, our fur person.
Horses are great. So are fish, cats, mice and what have you, but theres a reason why dog has long been called Mans Best Friend.
Just ask a dog owner.
