Tag: Loyalty

Leader of the Pack

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 33 Comments

Remember that 1964 pop song ‘Leader of the Pack‘ by The Shangri-Las (dear lord, did hair really look like that back in the 60’s-OMG!). It was a pretty decent hit for the girl band and a moderate cover hit for Twisted Sister in 1985 (among others) about teenage tragedy. But what I mean by leader of the pack here relates to ‘leadership.’ Wikipedia says this about leadership:  “…described as “a process of social influence in which a person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task.” The dictionary defines leadership as  a person who guides or directs a group, providing guidance or direction. When it comes to our dogs, we definitely provide support and direction. We are their caretakers, making sure they remain safe. As owners we are charged with their safekeeping, we provide a pack that they may thrive, shelter from storms, food and love. This is what they need, this is what we do if we’re responsible pet owners.

Another aspect of the dynamic relationship with our fur-kids is loyalty. We are faithful and devoted to them and they to us. It’s a unique bond between biped and canine and I had an opportunity to view the two side by side the other evening when I was out in the garden. I often let Sam hang with me in the garden while I putz around pulling Sumac seedlings (will they never end?), watering, etc. He loves being outside keeping an eye on me, sniffing to his heart’s content without me nagging him to move along but mostly he loves to greet passers-by. A couple of women who live nearby stroll by frequently with their pup and Sam absolutely adores both of them. He’s isn’t all that crazy about their pooch who even after 2 years still goes immediately for Sam’s ears, but any chance to see either of them, well he’s more than happen to split from the yard to say hi, tail furiously wagging with a big goofy grin on his face. They always laugh at Sam’s goofiness and we chat about the latest goings on in our ‘hood. As soon as Sam spied them, he was gone in a flash, despite my calls to stay screeching. That dog was on a mission and it didn’t involve me. Luckily he didn’t run out into the street and no one was hurt, other than my ego at my lack of ‘leadership’ with him. He leaned heavily against on Roxann’s leg, looking longingly up into her face. He was in heaven with his friend. I called him repeatedly to get back into the yard but my pleas voice went unheard. I walked out to the sidewalk to bring him back and he still refused to budge. We all chuckled about it but it got me to thinking. Why was my dog ignoring me (beyond usual)? Did he not respect my leadership where his interests collided with my commands and his needs?

Then I said, “ok for you, I’m going back inside,” and started back up the walk toward the porch. He then came galloping toward me immediately and then leaned against my leg looking up with those adorably sweet amber eyes. I realized that while my ‘leadership’ may be hit or miss sometimes with Sam, his loyalty can never be questioned. He’ll always be my lap dog, peacefully snoozing away on top of my legs and yes, probably dreaming about the next encounter with one of his neighborhood BFF’s but I know he’ll always be completely mine.

Hanging with my loyal buddy
Hanging with my loyal buddy

Live, love, bark! <3

Loyalty

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 12 Comments

Et tu, Brute? [Source Wikipedia]
Et tu, Brute? [Source Wikipedia]
The Ides of March is most well-known as the anniversary of the assassination of Julius Caesar though it marked other less notorious events as well at the time. In the Roman calendar, the Ides of March marked the first full moon of the year (while March was the 3rd month in the Julian calendar, it was the first month in the oldest Roman calendar) as well as the religious festival of Anna Perenna which culminated the ‘new year’ celebrations. We know Marcus Brutus betrayed Caesar as predicted by the soothsayer earlier that month and stabbed him at a meeting of the senate at the Theatre of Pompey on March 15, 44 BC.

Was it political in nature or a question of loyalty? Sure Caesar had declared himself a dictator in perpetuity and was increasingly alienating the political elite at the time. The Ides of March is a day about loyalty in my books. It is the birthday of my son’s best friend and I thought about that this morning as I walked Sam. They’ve been friends for 30 years, since walking the halls of junior high. Seth and his family befriended Kevin and our family when we first moved to the city and we’ve stayed in touch over the years, through graduations, moves, marriages, births of babies and passing of family members. Our families are intertwined and long connected; Seth is godfather to my first grandchild and he’s called me “Mom-ika” for years as an homage.

While walking Sam, it struck me with everything that’s happened over the past 30 years, I had to only look at the end of the leash to witness an example of loyalty. Yesterday afternoon we ran into a neighbor who lives a couple blocks away. I first became acquainted with Colleen years ago when she owned a stately black Standard at the same time I did (McKenzie was my previous Standard, a super sweet and fabulously smart dog who was rescued from the Dumb Friends League as a pup and my faithful companion for 13 years). We began chatting when she’d walk past me in the front garden. When Sam joined me, she was taken with his sweetness and good looks and she always commented on how she’d love to get another Standard. After Ziggy passed and since there weren’t any Standards available through local rescue or shelters at the time, Colleen adopted a sweet pound pup, Norman, a  lovely and laid back Jack Russell mix. Norman was always the business end of the leash when they walked by, but was willing to patiently linger when they’d stop. Some time later, she rescued another JR-Skye, the three of them would walk by and Sam loved their visits. He’s so gregarious and all about pups stopping with their owners for visits though I’m convinced he’s more about the humans stopping then any of the dogs. Last Autumn, Norman passed away which was very hard on his fur-mom. As often happens after grieving, she adopted rescued another dog, Theona, a Chihuahua mix, who captivated her with cuddly sweetness a mere two weeks ago. In addition to being quite the cuddler, T-girl dances adorably on her hind legs in front of you much like a ballerina. After the initial greet and sniff, as usual Sam was more interested with the biped than the canines. While she’s very enamoured with little Theona, Colleen has remarked more than once, how she’d love to have another Standard who was like Sam. We chatted for a very long time catching up on various neighborhood topics and the future of the local Standard Poodle Rescue.  Theona, perhaps a little jealous of the attention given Sam at one point growled at him. Little dogs flummox Sam. He’s not sure whether they are a wind-up toy, a force to be reckoned with or some combination of the two. While he will defend himself, he’s not aggressive (unless you count this) and backed off expressing interest in either Skye or Theona but sat directly in front of me with his attention ready to be directed toward Colleen if she expressed any interest and Theona ‘allowed’ it.

It occurred to me that although Sam loves the attention of EVERYONE, he’s really my devoted loyal companion, through and through. He always comes back to me waiting for our next adventure and on this day about loyalty, I know where his lies. Happy Ides of March; here’s to you and your loyal companion. How does your loyal companion show loyalty toward you?

Live, love, bark! <3