Top 5 Reasons I Own A Dog

I live in the moutains of Colorado. Which means there is no such thing as a leisurely hike. It means, pack plenty of water, a compass and a first aide kit - no matter how "short" the hike is supposed to be. And know what to do if you encounter a bear, a snake or a mountain lion. 'Cause, for real, they're out there. And the famous line is "They'll see you before you see them." Hmm. Comforting. So I always pack a dog, too. The more the merrier...and safer. I always picture my little mutt scrapping and scraping with a mean ol' mountain lion to save my meager life. I really believe she would. But even if she wouldn't...I feel much better when she's with me on my morning treks up the mountainsides.

It absolutely amazes me! I lived in New York City and to be a part of the dog owners crew is an entire subculture in itself (amidst the millions of other subcultures in NYC). First of all, I don't care what tourists say, New Yorkers are (for the most part) kind, helpful and awesome people. But goodness knows...if you have a dog! Fuggedaboudit! New Yorkers suddenly become softies who squeel and coo and get down on their knees to pet and hug your little four-legged friend. Married couples tell stories of meeting in the dog park when her dog humped his dog and they embarrasingly had to pull them apart. It was love at first site - and two years later they're happier than the Brady Bunch! I've seen a big burly Polish man in my Brooklyn neighborhood, smoking outside the pub, hand his cig to his friend to lean over and cuddle with a Yorkie. The Yorkie didn't seem to mind. I kinda did. But whatever. It's so wonderful how dogs just bring out the best in people! They tickle our soft spots. One weekend, my best friend came to visit me in Brooklyn from her Jersey suburb. She and I took a stroll with her 6-month-old baby and my 6-month-old puppy, and about 15 minutes into our walk, she exasperatingly commented, "I've never had so many people ignore my little girl! They go right for your puppy! It's amazing!" And true. People love babies in the 'burbs, but in the cities, they're all about the canines.

I know it may sound silly, but cuddling with a dog is the BEST! I prefer BIG furry dogs that I can really wrap around. Small dogs don't really do it for me (but if they do for you...cuddle away!). And, Lord knows, we all need contact. I think the fact that massage parlors and acupuncture therapy and spas and maybe even perverse displays of sexuality (like internet porn and strip clubs) are so HUGE these days is because we're all looking for simple, loving and innocent touch! And dogs are an excellent way to satisfy this need for connection. Don't you notice that everytime you pass a dog leashed up outside a store and it wags it's tail at you - you are simply drawn to it and MUST pet it!? Because they offer simple, loving and innocent love. No matter who you are, or what psychosis you have, or how long its been since you've showered. They are happy to make contact with you and eagerly offer an ear to rub or a back to scratch. And everyone walks away satisfied and smiling!

Let's face it, we can be hard on eachother. Especially women. We judge, we compare, we dislike our elbows and our ears and wish they were more like... But dogs never judge us. They dig us unconditionally. All they require is some food, some exercise and lots and lots of love! (There is simply nothing worse than a person who is mean to their dog. This only makes for...mean dogs, people.) When I was broken up over a relationship a few months ago, I sat sobbing at the kitchen table and felt a little weight on my leg. I looked down between wet tears to see my sister's Golden Retriever's head resting on my thigh, with her bright eyes looking up at me as if to say, "It'll be okay! I'm here." Seriously, I felt 10 times better. Even when the men or the friends or the family or the employers turn us away, the doggie is there. And we don't have to dress up or put on make up or loose weight or make lots of money. They like us as we are. Imagine that!

I truly believe that dogs (and all animals for that matter) are kindred spirits. I spent some time on a Lakota Indian Reservation in South Dakota a few years ago and was deeply moved by their values and ages-old creeds. "Mitakuye Oyasin" means "We are all related" in Lakota. All animals are highly revered and thanked in the Lakota's daily practices and rituals. Each animal has transformative powers and knowledge that the human animal has still to learn and understand. Wild rabbits, snakes, bears, coyotes are keenly present and deeply in tune with the rhythm of life - much more than we are! I believe that living closely with animals enriches our lives in ways that the most amazing computer technologies, television shows, movies, houses, and cars cannot even begin to touch. Animals are each unique, intelligent, in-tune and wise in all they do. We just need to have the time, patience and understanding to appreciate the lessons they teach us. Inviting a wild coyote to spend the night with you may be a bit over the top. How about starting with a trip to the local pound, and taking home a sweet puppy who needs a good home? Go for it. You're life will be transformed...if you're open to it.