What is the fine line?

This past year, I often pondered over the following sayings: "who rescued who", "we anthropomorphize dogs", "my dogs are my family", "my dogs are my kids".

In retrospection, I would be the first one to say it: my dogs rescued me, they are my family, I do think of them as "my boys" hence I suppose as my kids. Though, I wonder am I crossing a fine line? 

According to the Merriam-Webster, the definition of "anthropomorphize" is: "to attribute human form or personality to things non human". Do we ascribe attributes to our pets, which facilitates justifying our behavior at times in my case I would say "obsessive", "overly protective" toward them. Other definition for anthropomorphize is "to ascribe human form or attributes to an animal", is it something we do that can affect our beloved pets?

In college, I had to write a research paper to write throughout the semester for an Anthropology course, my subject was highly influenced by my obsession of the moment: dogs. I was, at the time, fostering a dog. Surprisingly, my professor approved as the dog was the first domesticated animal by us (humans). My point is the dog is truly the first animal we domesticated. I am no expert, but in my opinion, there are many reasons. One in particular is that the dog has the particularity to return our eye contact. In other words, dogs seem to pay us attention. I believe any dog proprietor would agree. Even in the field of science, dogs have been recognized as wanting to please us, seeking to comprehend us, they follow our cues, listen and process with our commands (trained dogs)...

Surprisingly, I wonder do we do them injustice by treating them like family? I can't help but think to myself, "dog is man best friend", which in my mind justifies why I treat mine like my kind. They are my friends hence my kind. Though am I wrong for placing my dogs above other humans. They certainly have a place in my family though should they be seen as my kids? Perhaps, I am wrong, they are not my kids. Why do I tend to think so? Is it because like many other dog owners, I feel the responsibility associated with the fact that I "ADOPTED" them. Do we adopt our pets like others adopt their kids? I am certain this comment would infuriate many, though why do so many of us think of our pets as our kids? 

A true story of love.

This is the story of Em and Hannah. About a year ago, Em's local shelter contacted her. They had a 17 years old stray min pin. Em without hesitation took him immediately. He had been found as a stray though he was micro chip, his information was outdated, so sadly, his previous owners were unable to be reached nor found. About 4 days after Em and her husband picked him up, they sadly had to take him to the ER vet as he was struggling to breathe. His kennel cough, which he was treated for, combined with his poor shape,  had turned into severe pneumonia. With a heavy heart, they lost him the following day. While both of them were devastated, they decided that once their ER vet bill would be paid off, they would give a permanent loving retirement home to another senior dog. 
About six months ago, Em heard about a senior lady that had been found as a stray in West Virginia, was going through multiple surgeries to remove cancer through a rescue in MD. Of course Em with her gigantic heart of gold, took it upon herself to get involved. She and her husband had her transported to their home in Virginia. Where today, Miss Hannah resides with her permanent loving family, where she is well cared for. While Hannah has found her permanent loving home, her journey is not yet over. She has more surgeries planned ahead to remove more tumors. She also has two 3.5 luxating patellas and bad anxiety, which she is being treated for both. She does seem much happier and in less pain. We all wish her well!

Hannah has a younger brother, who had been rescued from a puppy mill. Em and her husband opened their home to him when he was just 9 months old. Today, he is 9 years old and is a spitfire. He is slowly warming up to his sister. As his mom claims: "he tolerates her."

I hope this story inspires more of you out there to open your home to these dogs in need of a loving home. I wish to add that I was very impressed by the generosity of Em and her husband to open their home and hearts to these dogs that came through their life. Even though they did not get so much time with their senior male min pin. I know from experience that these short 3-4 days they spent with him, meant the world for this dog. The few hours he spent at their home, a warm safe place where he was surrounded by their love: I am certain he knew he was loved. Remember dogs were the first domesticated animal because they are social. The love we share with them is essential to their well being. Dogs seek to please us. They reciprocate our love. 

Fostering

What does it mean to foster? I would reply: You are saving a life and more. How? you may wonder. Rescue groups and local shelters are limited in their space, so when you foster one of their dogs, it allows them to pull and save another dog from a pound (as now have room freed by you fostering) where otherwise it would await to be euthanized.
What are the best candidates and in great need of foster homes: adolescent dogs, senior dogs and injured or emotionally traumatized dogs. Reality is that most puppies at shelters get adopted first.
When I say "adolescent" dogs, I mean these dogs are passed their "cute" puppy stage and have been at the shelter for a while. These dogs may no longer be puppies though I can tell you from experience they sure still have puppy energy that needs an outlet, plus being kenneled most of their time despite the love and care they received at the shelter, is stressful for any dog. Dogs were the first domesticated animal for a reason, they are social creatures seeking our company. Hence, any dog kenneled for a long time tends to get depressed. You would be offering them a "home" perhaps temporary but it can make all the difference. Think about it, the stress level is much less in a home than at a kennel. Plus, you would be giving them more love and attention that they crave and are in need of. Be aware, many dogs act differently in a kennel than in a home. Hence, you could help correct some learned behaviors. It is true though that fostering is a commitment and requires your time and dedication. In the end, you are rehabilitating a dog that is more likely to be adopted.

Fostering a dog can make a difference for a dog. For instance, an injured or traumatized dog is more comfortable and hence heal faster in a lower stress environment than in a kennel. I can attest of this one personally. About two years ago, I volunteered to foster a new dog. I called a local rescue whom I saw their flyer at a local Starbucks. I informed them of my intention: I had a dog that was very active and was opening my home to any dog that could be a fit. I was not picky though I was clear. I did not care for the age or sex. I needed however a dog that would require exercise as mine walked about 2-8 miles on average daily and did not want to drag a dog nor have my dog pestered it. In other words, a couch potato dog was not an option. I described my dog and sure enough the lady said: "I have the dog for you". She was right. She gave me a little background about the dog. He was a Jack Russell Terrier, a little over 1 year old, so should be very active though he was not doing well at the shelter. He was scared, the poor little guy hided behind his bed so nobody could spot him. As a result, the Anti-Cruelty Society in Chicago contacted this rescue "Tiny Paws Small Dog Rescue" and suggested he gets fostered. I agree to met the lady that afternoon with my dog and see how both interacted. It was a match, my dog and this little guy seem to bond right of. We let them sniffed each other... I agreed to foster him. I was offered to put him back inside his crate for the time of the transportation to my home. I felt pretty confident, I didn't need to plus truthfully I saw how scared he was and didn't seem to want to get back in his crate. So off we went, both dogs in the back seat: no problem, both sat next to one another, no growling. In the end, it took me about 9 months to rehabilitate this fostered dog. He had been badly abused, for nine months, each time I would be about to pet him, he would duck his head as if scared to be hit. Anyhow, 9 months later, he jumped on his own accord on my lap and let me pet him. A quick recall: first night at my home, the supposedly "terrified" dog slept on my bed with his head on my lap: he adopted me. Three days later, I adopted him. While it took him about 9 months to stop fearing people, I know if left at a kennel, he would probably and sadly still be there. Today, Rowdy is a happy dog that beside sign of his broken back legs from his past abused, will come greet anyone with licks and will play and run like any high energy dog. He won't any longer hide in a corner and "snip" if anyone corner him. This is what "fostering" does.

Joy is in the moments shared with my boys

Today, Curley and Rowdy once again reminded me how lucky I was to have them in my life. This morning, both as usual went about their own routine while out on our walk. Taking a moment to observe how they interact with one another, within their environment and with I, I feel "joy", can't help it and smile. They bring me a lot of joy. They are teaching me so much: I am loved. I certainly hope they know how much their mom loves them. They are the loves of my life.

Mindfulness

Recently, I learned that I react. I let past events and what others say, affect me more than it should. Anyhow, after having been wrongly lashed out on by someone I thought I was close to, I realized I had a say in the matter regarding how I felt. I don't believe anyone likes to be yelled at, though it is rather obvious that we don't have to let it make us feel bad.
If and when people lose their temper, they don't think all that clear rather they react on their feelings. Hence, we must accept that we have no control over how they feel. Sadly, we must take care of ourselves and not allow it to affect us.

Being true to yourself

I recently discovered that to be happy, I first needed to be happy with myself. In my awakening, I discovered new things about myself such as I can draw. Until recently, I lived in fear, as an attempt to overcome them, I chose to face them. This led me to take a motorcycle course, I own a Harley; I bought a sketch pad and soon discovered I enjoyed drawing animals; I always feared being seen as bad if stepped outside my "good girl" role, I got a tattoo about 10 days ago.... In other words, I needed to be me, set myself free from my fears.

Spring is here

For the past few days, as the weather has become more pleasant, temperatures rose, the boys and I enjoyed nice sunny walks. As the ice and snow melted, Curley and Rowdy could not resist going for an early spring swim in ponds and rivers. At first, I was concerned the water would be too cold for them, though as I observed them having fun despite getting dirty, I relaxed and enjoyed seeing them taking delight in taking a deep. I cannot emphasize how much I love my dogs. Watching them swimming and or running freely in the woods, along the path, hunting for rodents and or seeking sticks, I feel blessed to have them in my life. We became a family. These dogs are my kids, I am a lucky mom.