Photo by Norma Thatcher

When I asked Dede McClure of Three Dog Night on Kilkenny about the business model for her home dog care she said this:

“Imagine we’re sisters and you decide to go on vacation. You drop off your dog at my place with his food, his favorite toy, and blanket. We wave goodbye and your dog becomes part of my family while you’re away.”

How could I NOT choose her to care for my dog Riley?

Besides providing the wonderful home atmosphere for visiting dogs, she’s also one of those rare people who seems to intuitively “get” each dog and its own unique personality.

Sometimes I feel I should pay extra for the psychological insight she provides for the canine psyche.

Dede wanted to hear Riley’s story of his early days and the rescue from his neglected state. But she asked me to wait to talk about it until he was out roaming her fenced five acres.

You see, she agrees with one expert’s opinion that rescued dogs can sense when the owner is telling “the story.” Naturally, Dede has heard many sad and horrific stories of neglected and abused dogs.

Although the dog may no longer recall the exact events of his former terrible life, when the owner dredges up the details for even an audience of one, the dog picks up on the emotional cues coming from his owner. “Hey, I remember this feeling,” the dog thinks. “I’m going to be sad like my dog-Mom.”

Well, not exactly, but you get the picture. Our dogs are much better than most humans at picking up on emotional distress.

So now when people ask me of my dog’s back story, I make sure he’s checking out something at the far end of the dog park before I put forth the emotional baggage that Riley first brought with him.

Or if he’s on-leash and close by, I’ll give a brief upbeat version of the tale ending with, “…but he’s happy now.”

I no longer let myself get stuck in the sadness of his first eighteen months. Riley let go of his doggy baggage years ago; I was the one who was still holding on to it.

This makes me consider that dogs may be wiser than people.

Why is it we choose to hold on so securely to instances of being treated meanly or unfairly? We relive each word or nuance in our heads and hearts, dragging on the injustice (whether intended or not) for days, weeks, months, even years.

We need to just let go. Surely if our dogs can do it, so can we.

Photo by Norma Thatcher