"A dog is not 'almost human', and I know of no greater insult to the canine race than to describe it as such."  J. Holmes

I agree with Mr. Holmes, dogs are a much more advanced species than human beings.  Maybe not advanced as far as technology is concerned, but they're certainly more advanced in regards to following the Golden Rule of "Do Unto Others As You Would Have Done Unto You."

Think about the qualities that dogs possess:  unconditional love, unquestioned loyalty, consistent happiness, easily trainable, follows commands, low-maintenance, happy to serve, and they aim to please.



How much better would the planet be if humans consistently projected these attributes?  Mark Twain said, "A dog is a gentleman; I hope to go to his heaven, not man's."

I've often wondered if it was God's intention to inject a subtle reminder into the English language (ultimately, the language that would be used by the most arrogant percentage of humans in 2009), by reversing the name God to spell Dog — as a way to remind us that dogs demonstrate the true nature of God better than most humans.

When I think of the nature of God, I tend to feel that energy best while I'm spending time with my dog, Neo.  Neo is patient, kind, funny (creates joy in my life), loves unconditionally, demonstrates the highest level of loyalty, and is always dependable. 

Can you say the same thing about most humans?  I know I can't.



Which brings me to the point of today's blog:  Although it is an insult to the canine race to be compared to the human race (canines are the better species), it's important to understand that dogs do have similar emotional experiences.  For example:  they feel joy, excitement, anticipation, satisfaction, and love.  At the same time, they experience pain, separation anxiety, boredom, sadness, and sickness.

Which is why I want you to consider what it feels like to be your dog.  Has your dog become your prisoner?  Is he or she trapped in the same jail cell every day and every night?  Meaning, does your dog experience the same environment all the time? 

If he's an inside dog, do you ever take him outside (other than where he uses the bathroom)?  If she's an outside dog, does she ever venture outside of the outside "jail cell" area (your yard)?

These same questions apply to your relationships with your kids.  Are they trapped in the virtual jail cell (via video games, television, or internet) of being stuck in their bedroom every day and night?  Or do you take time to plan fun experiences together, like:  going to the park, skating, camping, fishing, or swimming?  Do you shoot basketball together, attend their sporting events, help with homework, watch movies, attend church, or eat dinner together (at the dinner table), etc.?

In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to allow the relationship with your kids to function on auto-pilot.  You see each other in the morning, they go to school, you go to work, and you pass each other in the hallway before bedtime.  If this sounds like your family — make a commitment to invest in more quality time together!



Let's get back to dogs ...

What I'd like for you to consider is:  How would you feel (as a human) if you were consistently exposed to the same environment every single day?  Wouldn't that feel like a prison?  What if you were never able to leave your house?  Or even worse, what if you were never able to leave your room?  Even worse than that, what if you were chained to the toilet 24/7/365?

This is exactly how dogs feel.  They feel like they're in prison.  The same boring jail cell, with the same boring food — day in and day out.

What I'm inviting you do to is:  LET YOUR DOG OUT OF HIS PRISON CELL EVERY DAY!

There are a number of different ways to do this.  I know some people don't have as much flexibility as I do, but where there's a will, there's a way.  In most cases, it will become a mutually beneficial experience (for you and your dog).

It can even become a daily family experience, where you take a nice thirty minute walk with the spouse, the kids, and the dog!  What a refreshing way to catch up with your loved ones!  Make it a habit, and watch how the quality of your life (and your dog's) improves.

Here's an example of a typical day in my life: 

I usually wake up (with Neo staring at me, sitting right beside the bed), make my coffee, fix Neo breakfast, and fire up the computer.  While Neo eats, I drink my coffee, and get my computer programs running.  After Neo eats, he knows it's time for his morning walk.  He'll typically come sit in the spot to the left of my computer chair, staring all up in my face, as if to say, "It's time for my walk." 

Consistency plus patience equals a well-trained dog, that one can easily communicate with.  :]

If I'm spending too much time on the computer, Neo will increase his "it's time for my walk leverage," by standing up on his hind legs, while resting his front paws on my computer chair.



Our morning walk typically takes about twenty minutes.  While walking, he's able to get his initial bathroom breaks out of the way.  At the same time, I'm able to listen to some quality wisdom from some of my favorite authors on my i-Pod.  It's also a great way to get my blood flowing, with a little morning exercise.  It's a win-win situation.

After our initial morning walk, I'll tend to whatever issues demand my attention.  Neo will commence to "chilling," knowing that the highlight of his day still awaits.  Luckily, my neighborhood is right beside a small lake.  As Neo is chilling in the other room, I'll give the initial command, which is:  "NEO!"

He'll jump up, run to my office — at full attention, like a soldier waiting for his next command.  Then I'll issue the next command, which always starts with the word "DO."  Example:  "DO you want something to eat?"  "DO you wanna go bye-bye ... (to the park)?"  "DO you want a hot dog?"  "DO you want this (which always refers to a treat)?"

In this case, I issue his most favorite command, which is:  "DO you wanna go to the lake?"  He'll cock his head as he processes the command, and about three seconds later, will start jumping and running around.  We'll get in the car, and proceed to the lake.



While at the lake, he'll finish his bathroom breaks, and get plenty of exercise while running after sticks, or fetching them in the water.  He goes swimming pretty much every day.

I'll do super-cool things like walk on water, read my favorite books, meditate, or just commune with God and nature.  :]  Again, it's win-win.

After spending about an hour at the lake (pretty much every day), it's time to head back to the house, and Neo gets to ride in the trunk!  Of course I keep the trunk open.  But since he's always wet from swimming, I just pop the trunk, Neo is trained to jump inside, and he gets to ride through the neighborhood (while obeying all speed limit signs), enjoying the view the whole way! 


Later in the evening, we'll take another twenty to thirty minute walk.

What a lucky dog. 

My point is this:  He's not sitting in his jail cell (the same environment) every single day.  Usually, on weekends, I'll take him to one of many different parks.  Again, it's always a win-win situation.  Neo gets to experience a new environment, and I get to read books and have all the hot babes approach me, saying, "Awwww.  What a pretty dog!  Is he mean?"  To which I usually reply, "Yeah, he's quite handsome and incredibly sweet ... he gets that from his daddy."  (Mutual LOLs)

Neo wins.  I win.  The hot babes win.  Win - Win - Win.



Let's not forget the basic stuff, like actually playing with your dog in the house (or backyard).  Do you ever take time to pet them?  Do you provide treats of different sorts (to keep things fresh and exciting)?  Do you play fetch?  Most importantly, do you spend quality time learning how to communicate with your dog — teaching them new commands and building your relationship?

Dogs tend to add the most consistent positive value to one's life — doesn't it make sense to strengthen THAT relationship?  All too often, we spend our time and energy on the human relationships that don't really add anything positive to our lives.  Spend less time meddling with pesky, selfish humans — and invest more time into the being that adds the most value to your life (your dog).

With the proper investment of time, patience, and consistency, you'll be amazed at how much more rewarding the relationship with your dog can be.  Just like anything else, the more you put in ... the more you'll get out. 


(Cesar Millan — The Dog Whisperer)

With the proper training, a dog (like a human) can maximize his or her (canine) potential.  It's your job to be the pack leader (prison warden).  Remember, dogs have the capacity to feel emotions similar to humans ... help them to achieve the same level of fulfillment that you strive after.

Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You.

Consider the instructions in Hebrews 13:3: "Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering."  Please understand that criminals aren't the only ones who live in (certain types of) prisons.

Let your dog (or child) out of his or her prison cell — every day.  :]