Canine Communication

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.”*

     The morning after we returned home from our ten day trip to California, Al picked up our two dogs from the kennel where they had been staying. Teddy and TJ were happy to see us and after much tail-wagging, sniffing around the place and getting lots of attention, settled down into their usual routine.

     Well, they actually know the routine better than I do and seem to watch the clock! Some days we get off schedule, throwing them off a bit. But normally it is something like this: wake up and go outside at 8:00. Then it’s time for breakfast consisting of three carefully measured cups of dry dog food in each bowl, due to being overweight from inactivity during the winter months.

     Before they eat their food, they have to wait until I put my hand on each one’s head and say a simple prayer, thanking God for providing. Teddy is very good about waiting; however, TJ has to be held back or he’ll gobble it down. Recently however, he surprised me by hesitating and looking up expectantly when I forgot to pray. Maybe he’s learning!

     Even though TJ’s bowl is always empty long before his ‘brother’ is finished, he won’t touch Teddy’s bowl, waiting a couple of feet away until Teddy is done. Then he will dive in to finish whatever his brother has left for him...usually a couple of bites. I haven’t figured out why Teddy leaves food for TJ, maybe he just gets full faster. However, it does seem like a nice gesture on his part.

     Teddy prefers to stay outside even in the colder weather. But our little lab, TJ, sits on the steps peering up at the kitchen window until he is let back in the house. Both dogs look forward to taking a walk in the late afternoon, after a dinner of frozen veggies thawed in the microwave, half an egg each, apple pieces and occasionally a couple of tablespoons of cottage cheese. No carbs in that meal!

     While we are having our dinner, they’re either lying down in their room adjacent to the dining room or napping on the driveway, but ready to bark at people and other dogs passing by. Finally, it’s time for brushing and sitting with Al and me for the evening news. They both enjoy the attention; however, Teddy doesn’t ever seem to tire of it, putting his paw on our knees or arms when we stop scratching his ears. TJ sometimes skips out and goes to bed early although their official bedtime is around 10:00 pm.

     I like to stay up an hour or two later, but have to keep reminding myself that Teddy and TJ will be up at 8:00 regardless of when Al and I go to bed. And if there is a thunderstorm or a creature making sounds out in the yard, their barking fits jolt me out of sleep in the middle of the night. Ah, dogs!

     It’s interesting watching the way they communicate with each other, as well as with us. Although Teddy has a mellow, non-aggressive personality, he is the dominant dog. When he wants TJ’s bed or a preferred spot next to either Al or me, he makes that known in some silent way and the little lab moves over.

     That wasn’t the case when we first adopted them. There were a few heated quarrels (dogfights!) between the two of them until TJ seemed to realize that he wasn’t the one in charge. Al and I have to continually reinforce that idea by giving Teddy preferential treatment and by chastising TJ whenever he forgets to let Teddy be first.

     Funny, the things our dogs have figured out like communication, sensitivity, the willingness to submit, share and to show deference to one another seem to be harder for us humans to learn. May God grant us His wisdom so that we might be able to live peacefully together, loving each other as He loves us.

*James 3:17-18 NIV