What is it about women and dogs?
What is it about women and dogs?
Awhile back, there was a poll that found women preferred the company of their dogs to their spouses or significant others. Guess the human males growled more than their canine competitors for female affection.
To be serious, though, over the years since we have been collecting and writing stories for Angel Animals books, etc. we've observed how deeply women and dogs bond. They seem to bring out the best in each other.
Now, we're giving all of you the chance to enter our Dogs and the Women Who Love Them True Story Contest. We're looking for stories about canine-female teams that formed deep bonds of companionship and led to compassionate and courageous acts of kindness or service.
Think about some of the following scenarios that you may have been part of and see if you want to write a story about any of them:
* Has a dog(s) been there for a woman during challenging times or major events in her life?
* Have there been times when a dog has protected people from danger or warned them of possible danger?
* Have a woman and a dog teamed up to fulfill a life purpose and/or perform extraordinary acts of service?
This contest hopes to find life stories of remarkable women with dogs who are fulfilling their callings to the benefit of themselves and others. It will also focus on finding the best stories about dogs' unconditional love and acceptance. From dogs as protectors to partners in the dance of life, the contest will honor a relationship that is like no other.
Any contest entries, but especially those of the winners, will be considered for possible publication in the new book Dogs and the Women Who Love Them by Allen and Linda Anderson to be published by New World Library in Fall 2010. Previous books in the Angel Animals series have included many stories that were contest entries.
We're looking forward to reading your stories, so go to the website, www.angelanimals.net/contests.html and fill out the contest entry form. Send in your stories.
What have dogs taught you about love, life, and yourself?
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
To subscribe to the free Angel Animals Story of the Week newsletter, send a blank message to AngelAnimals-on@mail-list.com.
Categories: Amazing Angel Animals, Hero Animals
What have dogs taught me about love, life, and myself?
Bandit taught me that sometimes the best friends will find you when you least expect them to, and that paying attention to them is important. Jump on a good opportunity when you see it because life it too short and you may not get the chance again. He also taught me to be a leader, because (bred to herd cattle) he is a "lead or get out of the way" kind of guy. I had to step up to maintain order in my household! I used to think that he waved the rubber chicken at me when I was trying to work because he wanted to play. But then I realized that he did it because he knew that *I* needed to play. He knows me so well!
Kate taught me that an old lost beaten down girl who survived a Louisiana hurricane and flood and was displaced halfway across the country could adapt. It wasn't easy--everything was different--but she carried on. She taught me that starting over when you're perhaps past the prime of your life isn't easy, but you can do it. And you can do it with dignity and heart. She reminded me how important it is to socialize puppies and expose them to all kinds of different experiences when they're young. A dog who hasn't had those experiences has a much harder time with new things as an adult. Kate taught me that friends from all over the country and even the world will come forward to help me when I need them. I had to ask for help for Kate and she led me to many new friends. She also took me to new spiritual depths and introduced me to animal communication in a way that I hadn't known before.
Chase taught me that another man's trash would be my treasure. My friend Sarah, who I met through Kate, rescued Chase in Virginia from a man who was going to shoot him for chasing sheep. Chase is the sweetest, most sensitive dog who is so worried about making a mistake, because he knows that it could have cost him his life. Chase trusts me now and we have learned to work together to herd sheep so that he can express this wonderful talent without fearing for his life. He taught me that you can start over again and you can recover from abuse and violence to go back to being who you were meant to be. He is a very loving dog.
Cayenne taught me that a dog who is afraid of her own shadow can eventually bond to a person. Abandoned in the wilderness of Tennessee with her young littermates, Cay had never bonded with a person before. With time and patience and love, this dog who once cowered in the back of her travel crate and needed two people to pull her out, learned to smile and be happy, and run up to a person to be petted. She is wiggly and joyful now and approaches my friends to be petted. She taught me that the waiting is worthwhile. She loves me now and that is one of the greatest accomplishments of my life.
All of these dogs have taught me to live more in the moment and appreciate our time together each day. For our time together is much too short.
Jenny
www.8StateKate.net
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Dog can teach us so many things. Here are some things my dog taught me.
Chloe, my dog
Play with your whole heart, and live life to the fullest. She was our spunky sweeteart who loved to play more than anything in the world! Chloe taught me to love it while you have it. Unfortunately her life was short, but we are so glad she graced our lifes.
Dexter, my other dog
He is the embodiment of loyalty and buddyhood. When I feel lonely I know I can count on him to follow me aropund the house. I can talk to him. He knows when I'm telling him something serious. He looks at me intently as if to say, "Oh I see, it sounds very important. If only I could understand what you are saying." He also has taught me that sometimes it's o.k. to run screaming into the face of danger when it shows it's ugly head. Dexter slipped out the door from between my legs. He saw a dog in our yard and ran full speed at it. He was yappping, growling, and nipping at the dog's heals as it buleted for safety. Now this might be somewhat normal between two dogs of the same size. Dexter is a tiny dog weighing in at about ten pounds. The other dog was a big golden retriever. Dexter also did not back down when real danger approached. I had taken him and Chloe out to go potty when one of our neighbor's dogs attacked. She had Chloe in her mouth and was shaking her. Dexter, another dog, and I all stared the dog down and screeeeeemed at her. She put Chloe down and left. Chloe was a little freaked out, but fine. Dexter is my big,little guard dog and my best buddy.
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