Meet Bear and some thoughts on being pack leader

Here he is. Bear. Right? BEAR!

Bear came into my life for a number of reasons. For one, I just wanted a pet. I looked around, I considered birds, I considered cats. Truth is, I just like dogs, and I felt the need for the special companionship a dog brings. So, why this Bear! Why this huge dog? First, I intended to look for a pug. I really loved Monty. Pugs are expensive! Then, I met Bear's owner. We had so much in common. I was, and am, convinced that there is a greater purpose to our meeting than simply Bear. She and I share so much in common; we have raised birds, we are both have military life running in our blood, we seem to share a common spirituality and she has a daughter who rides Dresage. And! She didn't want a fortune for Bear. In fact, Bear comes to me with every accoutrement known to dogs and she asked not one penney to complete the transaction. Now, while I recognize that dogs have value, and breeding dogs for profit is a worthy enterprise (my parents did, but a bit more about that, later), I had grown weary of Craigs List dog owners attempting to sell an eight year old dog for $500 plus dollars, expecting a return on what they'd invested. I see an animal's welfare as an owner's responsibility and not an investment to be returned. Bear's owner seemed to agree.

At first glance, some would say (and I'd not fault them!) that Bear is too much for me. Well, he's a Bear that's for sure. Having been raised on Carl (you all know Carl, don't you?), I have never believed that Rottweiler's are inherently evil. And, my parents raised German Long-haired daschunds and I can assure you, at least one of them was vicious, and I mean VICIOUS, despite being so small. Then, there's the not-yet-told story of how one of my neighbor's has entered my home now TWICE! uninvited, Bear seemed like a pretty good idea.

So, I pondered all the possibilities, and since Bear's owner was willing, at the slightest need, to accept Bear back into her home, I decided to go with it. And here he is.

Now, there are some who would say, and I'd be right there with them, that Bear should be immediately under my complete control. Dogs like bear are not often shown mercy should some mishap occur. Bear has some training under his belt, and he's mostly a very good dog, but he's still a two year old and in truth, Bear needs some work. So, I've read everything I can get my hands on. And (smile everyone), I've leaned heavily on the advice of one popular dog guru.

And who wouldn't? He believes that most of life's difficulties can be solved by being centered and calm. Who doesn't? I sure do, even when I can't quite achieve that goal. I understand, and accept the concept of being my dog's pack leader. Well....mostly. Some parts of it feel absolutely wrong to me. I quieted my objection by telling myself that's because I am girlie, I want my dog to be my baby. But no, that's not it. I recognize that in many, if not most situations, my animal should be absolutely under my control. I am acutely aware of the bad reputation held by Rottweilers and I am completely sympathetic with the immediate fear that passersby feel when they encounter my dog in the park. I want to indicate, by every gesture, that my animal is absolutely controlled. I cannot remove any one's fear, but at least I hope to allow them to pass by without experiencing an intense fear. So, why do I still feel not quite right about being Bear's ultimate and absolute pack leader?

I was able to identify a few of my objections, couldn't quite justify them, but I was able to identify them. The first is that I am not a dog (not today anyway). I am a human, Bear lives with me, a human. Bear does not live in his natural, unintruded upon by humans, state. Bear lives with people. People are not dogs and try as we might, we cannot be dogs (not as a general rule anyway). I suspect, that to dogs, the pack leader is very nearly God. I have no desire to be God. In fact, are there not times when the dog's instinct is more on target than my own?

Having identified these objections, I still was unable to justify them. I mean, my popular dog Guru is so handsome (pauses while all the women readers nod vigorously) and so on target, so happy, cheerful and CALM. Then today, I found it. I read the words of a New York Times writer who had obediently followed our Guru's example. All of his dog's bad habits disappeared. He was amazed. It works! Yes, so many of his animal's not so great issues seemed to be resolved.

But......(you knew there was a but, didn't you?)

So did many of his pet's lovable characteristics. No more running to the door with butt wagging, no more jumping up on the bed demanding to go out NOW! No more silly antics. No more of what makes the relationship between animals and their human caretakers so much fun.

As I type, Bear is letting me know that he wants to go outside where the grandchildren are playing. Bear is bringing his head up underneath my hand so that I cannot type. As Pack Leader, I can say, "NO! Not now! Down Bear!" But, I think Bear is right; it's time to go play with the children. And so, off we go. But tonight, every time Bear pulls on that lead during our walk, I'm going to turn and go the other way. Bear will learn that as his human owner (not his pack leader), I choose. I choose right now though, to listen to the wisdom of my pet. I'm not God, not today anyway.

Cheers!
~Lee