A Guide to Understanding the Dog Lover

If you are not a dog lover, you may be perplexed by the thoughts and behaviors that are often characteristic of those of us who love our four-legged friends. Contrary to what some believe the majority of dog lovers are not dejected, borderline-unstable beings without real lives, seeking the companionship of a canine pal out of sheer desperation. Most of us are rather decent human beings with friends, loving family members, and full lives!

Nevertheless, there are things about dog lovers that may require some clarification. Not understanding how we think and feel can only lead to confusion and misconceptions about our mental stability. With that in mind, there are a few facts every non-dog lover should know about the average dog lover. Allow me to take you on a journey through the dog lover's mind.

"We are Family"

To a dog lover, this is more than just the title of a feel-good Sister Sledge party song. When a dog lover adopts a furry friend, that friend actually becomes more than just a friend; he or she becomes a family member. Thus it is not uncommon for dog lovers to refer to themselves as "Mommy" or "Daddy" in reference to their children - the furry ones. When you hear this, do not be alarmed. This is perfectly normal behavior. After a while, most dog lovers come to regard their dogs as human.

That brings me to my next point. Since dog lovers tend to think of their pets as their children, it is very common for the things you say about your kids and the cute little things they do to remind dog lovers of their kids (aka dogs) and the cute little things they do. This is not a knock against your kids. It is an absolute compliment. In fact, most dog lovers have human children in addition to their furry children and they have a special place in their hearts for each of them.

Picture Perfect

Now that you have grasped (hopefully) the fact that dog lovers consider their dogs to be human family members, it shouldn't come as a surprise to you that your dog-loving neighbor has a giant oil painting of Scruffy over the fireplace mantle in their living room. Nor should it come as a surprise to learn that this same dog has taken a picture every year for the past five years with Santa Clause and the Easter Bunny.

Dog lovers can't wait for an opportunity to take a picture with or of their pooch. They may have poster-sized portraits, 5x7 framed photos on their office desk, billfolds filled with wallet-sized dog photos, handbags with their dog's face screen-printed on the front, heart-shaped lockets with photos of them and their dogs inside, and possibly even elaborate tattoos of their dogs somewhere on their bodies.

The Best Date

To a true dog lover, there is hardly a better date than a dog. A dog couldn't care less about your wardrobe, how you styled your hair, whether or not you could benefit from a Tic Tac or what movie is playing. They don't care if you're taking them with you to the store, the post office or the park - as long as they get to tag along. They will never complain about your driving either. They're just happy to check out the scenery and hang with you as the outside breeze flows through their fur.

Because dogs are so much fun, they are often the preferred dates. There are many dog lovers who would much rather gaze at a magnificent sunset with their dogs than with a person, or go hiking or go fishing with them. It's one of those things that one just has to accept about a dog lover and not take personal.

Irreplaceable

On a more serious note, it is important for non-dog lovers to show some sensitivity toward the dog lover who has recently lost their dog. Although I have not yet endured this kind of a loss, the mere thought of it fills my heart with sorrow. Non-dog lovers will never fully comprehend the pain of losing the one who has been there through thick and thin, who brings joy and laughter on a gloomy day, who loves you unconditionally, and whose number one mission in life was to please you. Such a loss is felt deeply and can leave a huge void in the dog-lover's existence.

I have talked to many non-dog lovers who question the emotional reactions of dog lovers to the loss of their beloved pet. Some make a mockery over the grieving process that often accompanies such a loss, insisting that this should never necessitate taking a "mental health" day or two off from work or having a memorial service with family and close friends. Again, it is important to keep in mind that dog lovers regard their canines and family members. When the average person loses a close family member, this is a very painful experience. The fact that that family member happens to have had four legs does not lesson the feelings of loss.

Your Rights

As a person who is not particularly fond of dogs, you do have certain rights, so to speak. If a dog lover invites you over to their house, you have the right to politely ask them to put their dog (or dogs) away in an enclosed area so that you can feel more at ease during your visit. Never mind that it's their house, as they are the ones who invited you over and it's always best to be a gracious host or hostess.

You also have the right to walk down the street or around the park without being tackled and slobbered on by a 130-pound furry linebacker as his owner smiles and states, "It's okay - he won't bite you!" This is unacceptable behavior for any dog lover. While there are some dog lovers who violate this right by having their dogs out in public places without a leash, they are clearly in the wrong.

Different Strokes

If you still don't get dog lovers and have no desire to do so, then at the very least, exercise a little tolerance. As the saying goes, "different strokes for different folks." As a non-dog lover, the thoughts and actions of those who have a particular fondness for dogs may never quite make sense to you. That is okay. Dog lovers and non-dog lovers can coexist peacefully as long as we always show respect for one another!