Top Stories When we hear people say dogs are loyal, we get a general idea of what they mean, though the axact definition of loyalty may be a little different and specific to each owner. It is the same as love, there are always this generally defined effection and commitment that bound the two persons in love, but the specific examples of effection and commitment are profound, and each couple have their own subsets.
Having always grown up with dogs around the house, my definition of raising a dog doesn't simply mean feeding food and providing shelter, it involves the bonding time, the cuddling, the baby talk and everything else that build the effection and trust between the owner and his/her dog. I often see people oversimplify the task of having a pet - they give him a dog house, a bowl full of food and water, then leave him home alone all day long; even when they are home, still they are emotionally absent. The poor dog would run, play, sit, alone, nobody pays attention to him/her, like an unwanted household member. Think deeper, having a dog is like having a baby. Parents who define the task of parenting only as feeding, dressing and providing shelter and neglect the task of bonding and nurturing their babies' emotional world, are setting themselves up for future failure. How rewarding would it be after 18 years of "raising" your children, the kids turn out indifferent and couldn't care less about you, their parents? Wouldn't that be a wasted effort this whole 18 years? If we already decide to put in that effort, why don't we put in the right level and the right aspect of effort? the reward would be exponential.
Now, why are dogs human's best friends? Call me pessimistic, but I find loyalty and friendship in dogs that sometimes I don't find in people.
Do you ever have that relative who is a loader but never a giver, whose whole purpose is to take advantage of you because they know they could - and you, reluctantly but have no choice, have to continue haboring their selfishness for one reason or another? Or do you have that cousin or friend who would never call to say hi (b/c you're not worth the long distant minutes on their Verizon plan), but when they do call, it always is a favor to ask. If and when you do, you would question the principle of fairness in human relationship, the return on investment (for those of you that have a business mind). Monetary or not, it is the
same concept to me. If I invest my love, emotion, trust, etc. into somebody, I expect a return, or else it is a losing deal and it only makes sense to stop investing into that person. I know how that sounds, but in all fairness, I think
that is as human as human can be. "Unconditional love" is great, idealistic yet unrealistic. I don't remember where I read or heard this analogy from, or mayabe I even made this up myself (hehe), but my analogy of human relationship is like a bank account. I can only credit people with so much upfront, but they are gonna need to make some deposits if they plan to continue making withdrawals. If they deposit love, care, trust, etc. into my bank, its gonna grow interest with time. Vice versa, if they never make a deposit and only withdraw, that credit is eventually going to run out and my "love bank" account is now bankrupt. OK, now that I introduce you to the concept of a love bank, think, how many people are in the financial meltdown in your love bank? haha :P
With my dog, I never have to encounter this problem. If I put time, love, care into him, he knows axactly that, and he gives me back axactly that. He is simple, he will tell me when he's hungry or will come to me when he wants a pad, I never have to guess. He learns and understands my routine; he waits patiently during the day and looks forward to me returning home each evening, happily wagging his tail to show me just how happy he is to see me. When he has me around, he would couragously chase and bark at other cats, birds, etc...When he's scared, he would run to me and stay behind looking for protection. If I am in a bad mood and snap, he would forgive me, all I have to do is to come rub his head and make up for it. Do you believe that dogs can totally pick up one's energy and mood? For example, when I am happy, he can pick up that positive energy and would playfully share the time with me and be hyper with me. When I'm sad, he would curl up right against my lap to offer me his hug. Have you ever talked to your pet, especially when you're unhappy? Next time you do, pay attention to his response. My baby dog blinks his eyes while listening to my complaints, he looks up at me every so often, and I just felt heard and understood. That is the bond between us. He never fails to return on my emotional investment. He may misbehave sometimes, or may be a little spoiled brat one too often, but he never fails me. From him I find absolute loyalty absolute friendship and uncalculated love. That is the bond between us.
Oh, not to mention one biggest bonus, dogs don't talk, so there's never gonna be arguments, in other words you win every argument (given you train him well on his commands...haha...j/k)
That is what a dog friend can give and not every human friend in my life can.
Now that I tell you
my definition of loyalty and friendship - did I convince you a little bit that doggie friends sometimes can offer you the loyalty and friendship that some human can't ?
Cheers,
with my half-empty glass (may it become half-full some day)
