Dog Nose Part 2

Of course along with dog nose comes dog eyes - there is something about those eyes. The eyes of our dogs are trusting eyes, they don't know fear. Oh there was the time Lily was scared by a fox and slammed into the front door; when Vickie opened it Lily ran and hid under our bed for a few hours.

 

There was also the time, when Lily was a puppy, when a huge Air Force transport came over our home at what seemed rooftop height and Lily, who was on a lead, tried to pull me into the house. But as a way of life our dogs Lina and Lily don't know fear. The same was true of Chris Ann, and Mitzi, and Darby when they were with us.

 

It hurts when I see dogs with eyes of fear and uncertainty; dogs that have been abandoned or abused, eyes that once trusted, that likely trusted too much; eyes that may want to trust again, but they are afraid.

 

This is part of the great betrayal - man betrays dog. We domesticated them, we brought them in, we used them for our own ends, and then we betrayed them. They give so much and we give so little.

 

Dogs know us, they anticipate us, they are tuned into us...because they watch us. Our movements, our facial expressions - their eyes take it all in. And when those eyes connect with us there is a bond for those who are blessed and gifted to receive it, to be a part of it, to participate in it. A wet nose, searching attentive eyes; a companion there for us...a dog.