Our love for dogs

From the time they were wolves and cunningly sought us out to move into human society, dogs have studied our behavior, our likes and dislikes, and learned how to train us to do what they want. Sharing our campfire and the remains of our meal has now evolved to a whole new level.

From working dogs such as assistants to disabled persons, drug-sniffing dogs and K-9 units that help police, to pampered pooches who recline on upholstered beds made just for them, with diamond collars around their necks, we value dogs.

We owned some 77.5 million dogs as pets in 2010, with the cost of basic food and care for one dog in urban areas estimated at $1200 a year. That figure increases greatly for some dog owners who now treat their dogs to gourmet food, fancy clothing, jewelry, spa treatments and massage therapy. When they travel, upscale hotels that admit dogs provide room service with tenderloin steaks, chicken livers, bottled water and a special pet bed.

A Satisfying Arrangement

The trade-off for all this lavish attention is well-known to dog lovers everywhere. No-one else jumps up and down and runs merrily around the room at the sight of us. What an ego boost when we return from a hard day in the cubicle, unappreciated by a crabby boss. In those big soulful eyes we can do no wrong--we are heroes again. They love us, they welcome us, they lay their heads on our knees and gaze at us adoringly.

They are never angry with us, even when we forget to stop at the store or take out the trash. They listen to us in blessed silence without criticism or unwanted advice. Not even their look says "I told you so." They know when we are not well or feeling down, and they lay beside us to comfort and cheer us. They would protect our lives with theirs, were we in harm's way.

Maybe that is why we forgive them when they dig up our prize flowerbed or chew the sofa cushions or wicker furniture to shreds. After all, a few holes in the yard are not that important among friends.

We try not to mind when they wait until we have finally settled down in front of the TV, and they pick that moment to whine at the door to go out. Regardless of weather or missing our favorite show, we comply, because we are well trained, and they are our best friends, after all.

Once we get our shoes and coat on they stand in the doorway deciding if they want to go out. When we are standing outside, they take their good old time deciding if they want to come in. Bathroom business takes extra long in the icy wind, cold or driving rain, too. Of course it would be hard to believe they would do this to us on purpose, loving souls as they are.

As we provide them with food and shelter, fret over their health, and spend enormous amounts of money on them, we do not always stop to wonder why, and may not really want to know. We want to believe in their love and loyalty and not find out that they may have developed their strategies over the centuries, just to get us to feed them. If their loving looks see us as nothing more than the holders of food and goodies, let us be blissfully ignorant.

If we did know, however, it would not really change anything. After all, if humans and canines each get what they need and want from each other, that is the most that any relationship can be expected to produce. So long as there are people and dogs on earth, we will likely seek out each other's companionship and protection. From their little cold noses to the tip of their joyously wagging tails, to us they are love on four paws--a little heartbeat at our feet. We love dogs.

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