Gone to the Dogs

I have never had the kind of relationship with a dog that I do with my cat. I was never the favorite person of the canines in my family. Obviously they still love me, and I return the love full force. However, the cats in my family tended to hold a closer bond in my heart.

This recently changed with the addition of Maggie. Maggie’s favorite person is without a doubt my mom. Whenever she is home, Maggie is following her around like a shadow, and is constantly on her lap if my mom sits still long enough. But when Mom isn’t around? I become the one she follows.

Maggie really enjoys playing with her ball, especially if it is a squeaky ball. So each morning, when it was my turn to be up with the dogs, I would throw her ball for her and play various games with her by hiding it. (Note: my brother and I take turns getting up in the morning to be with the dogs due to the fact that they are all still pretty young and enjoy making messes and getting into things that could do them harm if they are not being watched.) The other dogs, Cooper and River, also really enjoy having me be the one who wakes up in the morning. They will pout at the top of the stairs and stare at my door until I open it.

Having this kind of bond with dogs is completely new to me. They actively seek out my attention and ask to play with me. Whenever their person is not readily available, then I am on deck to satisfy their needs. I have to say it is pretty nice to be chosen, even if it is only second place, by not only my cat for once. There is much more interaction, activities that are vastly different, then how I am with my feline companions. The dogs join us in the car, and on some beach days. They go outside often obviously, but they are able to stretch their legs and really run when we let them out the back door into the fenced in yard. (I do walk my cat on a leash, she is harness trained, but she will only move a few feet at a time and is easily scared by large noises outside.)

While many similarities are present between the two species of animals, especially with my cat who enjoys belly rubs and walks outside, I think I will continue to hunt for the differences and truly enjoy making the most out of this new to me kind of bond.