I have been Raja's human for almost two years now. She has taught me a lot in these two years of our pupship.
Let me start with the day Raja came into our lives...
Andy and I drove from Alabama to Pennsylvania to pick up our sweet little new best bud. I envisioned an adorable pup loving on me and sleeping all curled up in my lap for the whole 13 hour drive home...
Well, I got the adorable pup part.
She howled bloody murder most of the drive if she wasn't scratching my neck and arms or peeing on {and inside} my suit case. It was so fun.
Reason #1. You become her everything.
I took this small baby away from everything she knew and expected her to immediately love and trust me. It just doesn't happen that way. I had to earn her love and her trust. The good thing about a pup is it happens pretty quickly.
After those first few weeks of the infamous, horrible crate training {back when 5am was her favorite time of the day, "the sky's awake so I'm awake..."}she began to realize I would always come back for her. She stopped howling and screaming all through the night because she began to trust me.
To this day she calmly watches me leave {knowing I will be back- trusting me} and when I come back she goes insanely happy, crazy. Being a dog's human means you take the role of her everything.
Reason # 2: You get to have a play date anytime you wish
A dog is always willing to play with you. And they're never too busy. If I'm ever feeling lonely or down about the world my pup is always ready to go play. And yes, I get on all fours and run around pretending to be a dog. No shame. She loves it.
Reason #3: You have daily entertainment.
Dogs are hilarious. Raja makes me laugh daily. She is the goofiest dog on the planet and tries to act smaller than the really is. She tries to squeeze in the tiniest areas just to be closer to me. That's precious. She chases her tail like a goofball. She jumps on our bed at night and tries to hide under the pillows so we won't find her {she's not allowed to sleep with us so she does everything in her power to sneak}.
Reason #4: You learn responsibility and trust.
When you're a dog's human you have a responsibility to care for your pup. Doesn't matter if you're sick, tired, busy, or if the smell of her poo makes you sick {got to deal with it}, or if it's cold, or if it's raining, or if you want to stay the night away from home- you have to care for that pup.
For us, having a dog taught us responsibility and trust as a married couple. Both Andy and I learned to care for horses and dogs growing up. This care is a different task when you're married. I had to learn to trust Andy to care for her in the same way I do {this was not easy for me}. We also had to learn to share the caretaker load. Taking her on walks, making sure she gets vigorous exercise at least 4x per week, feeding her twice a day, taking her to pup school, working with her on obedience at least 2x per week, bathing her, grooming her, cleaning her ears {and I brush her teeth but Andy refuses that one}, and just simply giving her the love she deserves can be a lot at times. I have had to learn to step back and let Andy help me. For us, caring for a dog together is a great bonding experience.
and very rewarding.
Reason #5: You are protected {with some dogs}.
I'm not the type of dog owner that gets a Shepherd for protection. And we do not train her to show aggression or protection. Honestly, it's nice to see people think twice about approaching us. In general she is the sweetest. But f she ever senses I am nervous about a situation she will not let anyone near me.
One time I was walking her down a curvy flight of stairs when a man came around a curve and startled me. I jumped and Raja went to barking and growling at him. I was appalled that she would act aggressively towards someone. We soon realized that she only did that if I was startled or just generally nervous about something. We learned that if I reassure her with my voice that a certain person or situation is "okay" she acts her sweet self again and lets whoever come up and pet her. It's comforting.
Reason #6: You always have an adventure partner.
Raja is rearing to go for a run. She loves it, especially in the winter. She mostly loves going to new places and seeing things she hasn't seen before. She's also a great biking partner. This one took some time. She caused me to crash a few times and had to learn she can't dart off into the thicket after a rabbit when I'm on a bike. She also loves hiking. We recently learned she is especially great at rock climbing. She just scales right up to the top of mountains- it's crazy.
Reason #7: You learn the meaning of loyalty. And it's sweet.
Raja lays right outside the shower when Im showering, she lays in the kitchen while I'm making dinner, she lays under my feet when I'm studying, basically she is where I am. No other creature on this earth will show loyalty like a dog.
Reason #8: You have great company.
With someone who wants nothing else except to be with you. How much better can it get? Although, beware you will find yourself canceling plans with other humans in order to spend more time with your dog.
Good news is a lot of restaurants and stores will allow dogs, so that's always fun! Look up BringFido.com for a list of these cool places.
Reason #9: You can participate in rally, agility, frisbee competitions, animal assisted therapy, hunting, and other fun dog events.
Raja is working towards being a pet partners therapy dog. We have a few minor kinks to work out before she takes her final test. It's a great way for us to share the happiness she brings us with others.
Also, you should know - Raja has a special superpower - making people smile. So we must us this power.
Of course there are other cool events and the dogs LOVE them. Most dogs love to have a job and work for something. And it's fun to be a part of their achievements.
Reason #10: You get to be a part of true happiness.
When Raja is playing and running her face says, "pure joy". She can make the most mediocre thing become the most exciting event of her life.
When she runs after us or after the ball- happiness.
When I'm cleaning and she wants to eat/play with the vacuum cleaner- happiness {and a little fear}.
When she chases the pigeons and rabbits around our neighborhood- happiness.
When she makes a new friend- happiness.
When she gets to play with kids (they are her absolute favorite)- happiness.
When we go hiking- happiness.
Dogs are just happy beings and it's nice to have a positive influence in life.
When you become a pup's human you must take that role seriously. You have the power to make their lives sweet, fun, adventurous, safe, and full of love. This power should never be abused. You are their everything, you must act like it. And it is so worth it.
Thanks for reading. Now go on an adventure with your best bud!
Let me start with the day Raja came into our lives...
Andy and I drove from Alabama to Pennsylvania to pick up our sweet little new best bud. I envisioned an adorable pup loving on me and sleeping all curled up in my lap for the whole 13 hour drive home...
Well, I got the adorable pup part.
She howled bloody murder most of the drive if she wasn't scratching my neck and arms or peeing on {and inside} my suit case. It was so fun.
I took this small baby away from everything she knew and expected her to immediately love and trust me. It just doesn't happen that way. I had to earn her love and her trust. The good thing about a pup is it happens pretty quickly.
After those first few weeks of the infamous, horrible crate training {back when 5am was her favorite time of the day, "the sky's awake so I'm awake..."}she began to realize I would always come back for her. She stopped howling and screaming all through the night because she began to trust me.
To this day she calmly watches me leave {knowing I will be back- trusting me} and when I come back she goes insanely happy, crazy. Being a dog's human means you take the role of her everything.
Reason # 2: You get to have a play date anytime you wish
A dog is always willing to play with you. And they're never too busy. If I'm ever feeling lonely or down about the world my pup is always ready to go play. And yes, I get on all fours and run around pretending to be a dog. No shame. She loves it.
 |
| all eyes on the toy |
Dogs are hilarious. Raja makes me laugh daily. She is the goofiest dog on the planet and tries to act smaller than the really is. She tries to squeeze in the tiniest areas just to be closer to me. That's precious. She chases her tail like a goofball. She jumps on our bed at night and tries to hide under the pillows so we won't find her {she's not allowed to sleep with us so she does everything in her power to sneak}.
 |
| in macie's chair...sorry |
Reason #4: You learn responsibility and trust.
When you're a dog's human you have a responsibility to care for your pup. Doesn't matter if you're sick, tired, busy, or if the smell of her poo makes you sick {got to deal with it}, or if it's cold, or if it's raining, or if you want to stay the night away from home- you have to care for that pup.
For us, having a dog taught us responsibility and trust as a married couple. Both Andy and I learned to care for horses and dogs growing up. This care is a different task when you're married. I had to learn to trust Andy to care for her in the same way I do {this was not easy for me}. We also had to learn to share the caretaker load. Taking her on walks, making sure she gets vigorous exercise at least 4x per week, feeding her twice a day, taking her to pup school, working with her on obedience at least 2x per week, bathing her, grooming her, cleaning her ears {and I brush her teeth but Andy refuses that one}, and just simply giving her the love she deserves can be a lot at times. I have had to learn to step back and let Andy help me. For us, caring for a dog together is a great bonding experience.
and very rewarding.
 |
| rolling her eyes |
Reason #5: You are protected {with some dogs}.
I'm not the type of dog owner that gets a Shepherd for protection. And we do not train her to show aggression or protection. Honestly, it's nice to see people think twice about approaching us. In general she is the sweetest. But f she ever senses I am nervous about a situation she will not let anyone near me.
One time I was walking her down a curvy flight of stairs when a man came around a curve and startled me. I jumped and Raja went to barking and growling at him. I was appalled that she would act aggressively towards someone. We soon realized that she only did that if I was startled or just generally nervous about something. We learned that if I reassure her with my voice that a certain person or situation is "okay" she acts her sweet self again and lets whoever come up and pet her. It's comforting.
 |
| grinning |
Reason #6: You always have an adventure partner.
Raja is rearing to go for a run. She loves it, especially in the winter. She mostly loves going to new places and seeing things she hasn't seen before. She's also a great biking partner. This one took some time. She caused me to crash a few times and had to learn she can't dart off into the thicket after a rabbit when I'm on a bike. She also loves hiking. We recently learned she is especially great at rock climbing. She just scales right up to the top of mountains- it's crazy.
 |
| laughing |
Reason #7: You learn the meaning of loyalty. And it's sweet.
Raja lays right outside the shower when Im showering, she lays in the kitchen while I'm making dinner, she lays under my feet when I'm studying, basically she is where I am. No other creature on this earth will show loyalty like a dog.
 |
| laughing |
Reason #8: You have great company.
With someone who wants nothing else except to be with you. How much better can it get? Although, beware you will find yourself canceling plans with other humans in order to spend more time with your dog.
Good news is a lot of restaurants and stores will allow dogs, so that's always fun! Look up BringFido.com for a list of these cool places.
 |
| we love to play catch |
 |
| Panera Bread |
 |
| watching her human leave... |
Reason #9: You can participate in rally, agility, frisbee competitions, animal assisted therapy, hunting, and other fun dog events.
Raja is working towards being a pet partners therapy dog. We have a few minor kinks to work out before she takes her final test. It's a great way for us to share the happiness she brings us with others.
Also, you should know - Raja has a special superpower - making people smile. So we must us this power.
Of course there are other cool events and the dogs LOVE them. Most dogs love to have a job and work for something. And it's fun to be a part of their achievements.
 |
| Raja is an official canine good citizen {most of the time}. |
Reason #10: You get to be a part of true happiness.
When Raja is playing and running her face says, "pure joy". She can make the most mediocre thing become the most exciting event of her life.
When she runs after us or after the ball- happiness.
When I'm cleaning and she wants to eat/play with the vacuum cleaner- happiness {and a little fear}.
When she chases the pigeons and rabbits around our neighborhood- happiness.
When she makes a new friend- happiness.
When she gets to play with kids (they are her absolute favorite)- happiness.
When we go hiking- happiness.
Dogs are just happy beings and it's nice to have a positive influence in life.
Sorry, I have a picture problem.
 |
| this just makes me laugh. |
 |
| Just watch these next clips unfold... |
 |
| the look I get when i tell her fun time is over |
When you become a pup's human you must take that role seriously. You have the power to make their lives sweet, fun, adventurous, safe, and full of love. This power should never be abused. You are their everything, you must act like it. And it is so worth it.
Thanks for reading. Now go on an adventure with your best bud!
Comments
Post a Comment