City Dogs vs. Country Dogs
A Big Shout-Out to Dog-Owners Everywhere!
I have been noticing lately the difference between City Dogs and Country Dogs. For instance, my sister has a teeny tiny terrier named Mickey. He weighs in at 3 adorable pounds. Mickey has a wardrobe of cute sweaters and vests, customized leash and collars, and travels around town in her large purse. Not a peep or squeak out of him, most people may never notice his tiny head sticking up from her bag.
Another friend of mine takes his dog to the dog park, for scheduled play-dates. Yes, fab Boxer Maggie has many friends she meets up with in her suburban neighborhood! A third friend of mine commutes to work with his canine companion by his side! By the way, he works in NYC! And that’s not all… his sophisticated city dog has appointments with groomers, dentists, and dog-walkers, and has even spent weekends in Doggi Spas with the likes of Winston, whose owner is a famous TV actor.
On my last trip to the Big Apple, I noticed all sizes and shapes of city dogs. Not just “puffy” dogs, I am talking about Labs, Dalmatians, and Great Danes… you name it, I’ve seen it trotting on the leash thru the sidewalks of NYC. They keep pace with city traffic, walk calmly with focus (some wear doggie boots), never talk to strangers, and stop at all crosswalks and patiently wait for the light to change!
Sigh…. what’s a country dog to do? My 2 Labs, Katie Spencer, are more “earthy” types. They run amuck thru muddy fields where the wild things are, and the only celebs they have acquaintance with are those on our big-screen TV. They are best known for scouting out snakes and squirrels. They abhor “clothes”, and only tolerate bandanas on special occasions… like Easter and Christmas.
I dare not take them walking through parks on tandem leashes. I like my arms, thank you very much. Dogs at the beach? That’s sensual overload for my babies… chasing waves, seagulls, other peoples’ frisbees… eating shells and seaweed, not to mention the tons of sand deposited in my car seats, which I will be vacuuming out for the rest of the summer. My country dogs would never make it in the city!
All this leads me to think back to my first country dog, Bosco. Bosco was a chow-mix rescued pup, and the most fearless dog I have ever known. I do believe he actually saved my life one day, many years ago. A rabid raccoon had been sneaking up behind me, and almost jumped me, while I was alone outside, tending the gardens. Bosco pursued it, fought it, and won the fierce battle. I am most grateful that I had my country dog by my side that day!
But still, no matter what, we love our dogs, and they love us even more. There are many ways to raise a dog, as long as we raise it with the love it deserves. So I apologize to you now if my dogs come running up to you, slobbering a wet kiss on your hand, or dropping a favorite toy at your feet for a friendly game of “tug of war”. They are simple country dogs… my happy dogs! And know what? I’m guessing those city dogs might not make it, out here, in thecountry! But that’s OK too. Life’s too short, especially in dog-years, to spend it “barking up the wrong tree!”
