For The Love of Dog
For some people, a dog is just a dog. A furry, four-legged animal that scratches around and licks its genital absentmindedly, and bark and whine for unknown reason.
But for others, a dog is a ray of sunshine. A source of happiness. A reason why we all want to rush home quickly. And a reason why we ever want to get up so early on weekends, if it weren’t for the constant whining we get for delaying their morning rituals.
Ever since I’ve had Micah, I have to admit that my life has changed completely. For better or worse, in sickness and in health. Quite literally, I’m afraid.
Dog lovers know that having a dog is not easy – it’s a lifetime commitment, as a dog can live up to twelve years or more, and during those years we must be prepared to face whatever challenges that come our ways – right from day one.
For Micah, it has been a bumpy road ever since I adopted him. He was crying all night the first time he was brought home, obviously missing his family and being scared of all the sudden, new environment he was forced to be in.
The loneliness that he had to face whenever I left him for work was not easy either. I had to put him in the back balcony upstairs and locked the door because the maid we had back then was scared of dogs. So every morning, Micah would cry and refused to be put there. He’d jump and jump in vain to see me vanished before his very eyes, until he would see me again in the afternoon.
What we humans often forget to realise is that dogs think and feel quite differently than us. When we leave them at home, they don’t know when we’re going to come back. All they know is that we’re gone, and they’re left alone. So all that whining and crying is not them being overdramatised, it’s their fear of loneliness.
Thankfully, Micah has reached and understanding that I will always come back, so every weekdays when I have to leave for work, I bid him farewell and scratch his neck and kiss the top of his forehead while telling him not to be naughty, and he just sits there and looks at me with those beautiful eyes. As I close the door, he just sits and stares at me. But the fact that he’s so understanding about it actually breaks my heart even more. I really wish I could bring him wherever I go.
There are funny moments too – moments that I really can’t explain except that perhaps, if it’s even possible, that Micah actually understands human language.
Whenever he has his toys lying around outside the bedroom, I always make sure he carries them back in. So when I head to the bedroom, I tell him to go get his toy. At first he seemed a bit confused, but not when I tell him to do so, he simply picks his toy up with his teeth, carries them all the way in to the bedroom. and drops them off once he’s inside.
When he is in my bedroom and he wants to go to the toilet, he simply goes and sits next to the door. If this still doesn’t catch my attention, he wails and cratches the door until I open it for him. Sometimes, when I’m too lazy, he can go to the toilet by himself, but most of the times he demands a company.
Then there are the strange habits. Remember how he climbs the bedside table and sleeps on it? Well, now he climbs the unused dining table downstairs by using the massaging chair that sits next to it. I noticed this when I was downstairs making something in the kitchen, when I realised that he was nowhere to be seen. I called him over and over when I noticed a brown, furry figure that had the same color as the dining table, lying comfortably on top of it. I was awed. Nobody taught him that, and I never would’ve thought of him as a dog who loved heights.
As a dachshund, I have to admit that Micah doesn’t particularly warm up to people that easily, unlike a Golden Retriever, or a Labrador. In fact, he is quite picky about them. But when he really likes someone, he will follow them around everywhere like their biggest fan. He even rolls around and taunt his belly, demanding a tummy rub from his newbest friend.
That’s what happened today, when I went over to Toni‘s house. At first I was worried that he wouldn’t like it there because he is quite suspicious to new places, even more because there are no dogs there, unlike at Juinita‘s house. But he fell in love with Toni and his house immediately (mostly because of the coffee smell). He was even served a special coffee made by Toni and he followed Toni around like a lovesick puppy ever since. I’ve never seen him so infatuated with a stranger that quickly before.
I was also worried that he wouldn’t be able to control his bladder, but to my surprise, Micah seemed to understand where he was supposed to go. I was worried he would go inside the house, but he actually did it at the front porch where the ground was cement-coated. I was awed once again by his cleverness.
He was also so excited to be able to explore Toni’s house and had the smell of coffee emanating from the kitchen, and because the fence was quite high and safe, he was able to sit in front of it and scare the people who walk or drive past by barking at them – something I wouldn’t let him do at home since our fence is wide enough for him to get out.
People at work think it’s funny that I care so much – perhaps even too much – about my dog. But for me, he is more than a dog. He is my son, and whenever I’m away I always think of him and wonder what he is doing at that very moment.
Humans think a dog must be so privileged to be loved and cared for by humans, but really, it is our privilege as human beings, to be able to experience the unconditional love of a dog – the love we feel everyday since morning till evening.
I talk to him when I’m lonesome like;
And I’m sure he understands.
When he looks at me so attentively,
And gently licks my hands;
Then he rubs his nose on my tailored clothes,
But I never say naught thereat.
For the good Lord knows I can buy more clothes,
But never a friend like that.W. Dayton Wedgefarth
This post is dedicated to Elyani Gunadi and Parvita Siregar. Special thanks to Toni Wahid for the beautiful photographs of Micah.
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The cutest guest I have ever had, and so looking forward to seeing him again and again ! A special coffee latte with extra frothing milk will be served again for his next visit, … yes special coffee bean, single origin from Aceh Gayo, his favorite too
Unconditional love … so true. My best for him and his loving Mummy & Daddy.
I love this post! Tom and I are “dog freaks” in the eyes of most people we know, cos we put so much effort and attention in the upkeeping of our 4 dogs. But they’re really and truly our family members, they are tuned to our emotions and moods maybe even more than our human family members. Ben knows that I’m coming home even before the sound of my approaching motorbike reaches his ears. Bonnie can’t sleep without close contact with either of us. Bella comes to me and drops her toy in my lap, asking to play catch. And Becky would follow Tom like a shadow whenever he’s home. Each dog has different personalities and quirks, but all very endearing to us.
I love this post, it is so true. To some people, I look wierd because I talk to my dogs and even take the day off if one of them is sick. The thing is, like you said earlier, and Mia said, they are part of my family. There is no time for me not thinking about Ruby and Aba, and also Atun even though Atun has passed away.
Dogs don’t really think like human, but sometimes I ‘humanize’ them. They seem to have a short memory span, where they forgive easily. Ruby likes to walk in front of me and I often trip over her but she doesn’t seem to get angry when I step on her little foot again and again. It is sort of like a constant learning, watching my dogs. Like learning the basics such as: just be happy and enjoy life.
It is sick how far I will go for my dogs. They are part of my life, they are my love. And they understand that I am their love, too. The one they can always come for tummy rubs and food. It is amazing how they 100% give their love to me and it is amazing how I love my dogs like that, too. I feel safe loving them because they will never hurt me or betray me. They will always be there, in my happiness and sorrows. And I will be there for them, too.
I wrote something about my dogs also, here:
http://parvita.wordpress.com/2010/04/11/what-i-learn-from-my-dogs/
Dedicated for dog lovers around the world.
i have been a silent reader tapi tempted mo komen
mau sharing a dog’s prayer yg aku pernah baca dulu:
My life takes 10 till 15 years.
Each separation from you makes me sad.
Remember, it was you who purchased me.
Give me the time to understand what you want from me.
Trust me, never ever I won’t failed you wittingly.
Don’t be rabid on me for a long time and don’t punish me by locking.
You have your own friends and fun, I have only you.
Talk with me even when I don’t understand to your words at all,
for me it’s enough when I hear your voice.
Realise, when you beat me I could bite you very easily but I won’t do it.
Sometime if I work badly, I do a mistakes or I’m lazy, think:
Maybe I’m not feeling good, or I’m tired
Care about me when I’m old.
One time you’ll become old also.
Be with me in my bad times.
Everything is better for me when I’m with you.
Don’t let me suffer when my time will come.
In case of necessity make the end to my torment in time,
Please, at this moment, stay with me.
Your pilouse friend
inspiring post ther
hopefully i could meet micah one day ;D
ih say.. lucu banget! ada blaster tekkel yah ?! hiks.. g mao pelihara anjing lagi, cuma nyari anak anjing na susah kekekekekek…
Sooo cute. I’m almost crying now as I think about Hachiko after I read what you wrote about Micah’s fear of loneliness everyday as you leave for work.
Dogs are truly men’s best friend, I don’t think there are other animals that are quite like them. you’re lucky you can have one, as for me, I just found out I’ve developed an allergic reaction to dogs, so I might never be able to have one ever again (and Yan is also severely allergic to them). Darn it.
But he is a really pretty dog. Beautiful pictures too mas Toni!!
“People at work think it’s funny that I care so much – perhaps even too much – about my dog. But for me, he is more than a dog. He is my son, and whenever I’m away I always think of him and wonder what he is doing at that very moment.
Humans think a dog must be so privileged to be loved and cared for by humans, but really, it is our privilege as human beings, to be able to experience the unconditional love of a dog – the love we feel everyday since morning till evening.”
G setuju banget!!! Tulisan u bener-bener bikin g terharu Ther. Semua orang ngga ngerti kenapa g sayang banget sama Hiro, mereka selalu bilang, kan cuma ‘anjing’, mungkin mereka ngga ngerti….
Jadi inget perkataan, kalau anjing itu ga pernah komplain dengan melihat u kaya atau miskin, cakep atau jelek, atau apapun… Tapi bila kita beri kasih sayang dan kehangatan. Maka dia akan memberikan seluruh hidup dia buat kita… *jadi pengen cium Hiro* hihihihihi…
Love that picture! Makes me wanna reach in & cuddle your dog! I’m a dog person and I miss having one around
They have one heck of unconditional love that only a dog can master.
Micah is one of those few dogs u meet and will remember for life
Lucky u ther
Yes he is! I seriously can’t imagine what my life would be if he weren’t here!
I love my dog too. It’s a long story, maybe I’ll write it someday (not ready due to the pain of memory it’ll bring). Your Micah looks and sounds like a wonderful creature.
Diny´s last [type] ..Tell Your Child to Move Away from Mine- I’m Taking a Picture!
@Diny: Your current dog, with the recent pic sure looks cute too! The giant red riding hood
looking forward to read the post, Diny!
What a great post !!
We’re so lucky to have them in our life too , they understand us , they are loyal to us , actually it feels like there is a person behind those eyes who will always be there for us !
I can’t say anything else !! As you know i am a dog lover too , so i totally understand where you come from
That’s so true Livy! There’s really something behind those big, pleading eyes… for me, Micah is more than just a dog. He is my son and my friend, he is a part of my little family
I know how you feel about Micah.I also have a dog named Snow White when I was 7 years old. I really loved her so much and my life revolves around her. I feed her daily, play with her and bathed her every other day. She was my buddy for 10 long years. The pain was unbearable when I lost her.It takes years before I had recover.It was after 2 long years did I start having a pet dog again.
anne @ shitzu puppies´s last [type] ..Shitzu Puppies Shitzu Puppy