From Dr. Jane's Notebook


For the Love of Dogs


I have spent exactly three months of my life without the companionship of a dog. This lonely period of my life, when I lived in a college dormitory was short-lived. It was not long before before my "new" puppy and I were both given the heave-ho out of dorm life and into the world of pet-damage deposits. At that point, I became hopelessly attached to my canine buddy and resolved that I would always have a trusted companion by my side. Today, in spite of a long history of evictions from rental properties, I have remained true to my furry friends, and wish to take this opportunity to expound on the benefits of dog ownership.

Of course, there are certain down-sides to dog ownership. It takes a bit of effort to adjust to their needs. Of our three dogs, one is to lame to go upstairs, another is too phobic to come downstairs, and the third we can't let outside at all, without him running away. Our Pomeranian is one of the few dogs I know that actually ran out in the street and hit a car. Its difficult to communicate that dogs usually chase cars, not tackle them.

Not long ago, we went on vacation and left the dogs behind with a pet-sitter. I couldn't quite get used to the empty spaces by my feet wherever I went. You get used to tripping over them all the time. For as many excuses as there are for not owning a dog, I can't help but think of the words in the song "Bobbie McGee"... "Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose". And when I get home each day, I know who's always waiting there to greet me.

©Copyright 1989, 1995, Jane R. Rosen-Grandon. All rights reserved.

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Last Updated November 14, 1998 by Gary M. Grandon, Ph.D.