Who is training whom?
Dogs may in charge of the world, but we just don’t know it.
Continue Reading Add comment Add comment July 25th, 2007
In some locations certain dogs seem to predominate
Hi Again,
I’ve been hearing from people from as far away as Norway and Venezuela. The blogger from Norway says that her dog is little in the land of large dogs. The Venezuelan person says that she has Rotties. My son recently got back from Dawson City in the far north of Canada - he fell in love with huskies - the dog of the north.
The island on which I live is full of Labradors and Golden Retrievers and not surprisingly, of young (human) families. One of the TV crew told me that a lot of his friends buy Rotties and Pit bulls (American Staffordshire Terriers) to protect their property because they don’t want to pay for insurance.
Do any of you find that certain dogs predominate in the places you live?
If so, do you have any idea why? For example, Pekingese dogs used to be the dogs of Chinese royalty, so do people in China favor them, or people of Chinese heritage? Was there a baby boom of Westies in your neighbourhood, and now everyone has them? What kind of dogs are favoured in Korea, or Russia, or Spain?? Are Newfoundland dogs really popular in Canada’s province of Newfoundland?? Are poodles favored in Paris (even if they originated in Germany) because they can look ‘oh so, shi, shi’? What about retirement communities? Rural areas? Do certain types of people have certain types of dogs? Do pianists have Shi Tzus and runners have whippets? Do models have Afghans and computer geeks have pugs??? What have you observed?
Always curious, Susan
Technorati Tags: huskies, Pekingese, Golden Retriever, Terriers, Shi Tzu, Labrador, Pit bull, poodle, whippet
Add comment Add comment July 24th, 2007
I’m back… I’m really back!
Hi fellow dog lovers,
First, I have to apologize. I just disappeared from cyberspace for many moons, few suns and many rains. I was grounded for a large part of a year, and I just couldnt launch.
So, Im really sorry for not keeping up with my blogs, and responding to your queries. But Im back. Ill catch up on my emails, and starting logging my blogs. I promise.
I must say that through all my low-lying days, I had a very good friend, always by my side, always attentive to my emotions, with a kind lick when I was downthat being my trusty dog Zoom.
Did you know that people that have animals live longer. A large Australian study proved it. I bet dogs were a large part of that story. Yes, they are better than personal trainers when it gets to motivating us to get off our couches, but its way more than that. Theyre friends, really good friends. They love you like no-one else can.
Its unconditional love. They dont care if you left a ring in the bathtub, are having a bad hair day, and they even forgive you quickly if you inadvertently hurt them.
So hold on tight to your cuddly four legged friends they deserve your love, because they give so much to you.
Anybody got any stories about dogs helping people when their sick, stressed, in trouble. Id love to hear them.
Wag a tail,
Susan
1 comment add comment July 21st, 2007
Welcome!
Recently, I was sitting on a large sun bleached log watching my swimming daughter appear and disappear into the blinding sun’s sparkle on the ocean. Zoom, my miniature poodle, was nosing around checking out the smells among the rocks and logs, as usual not too far from me. He’s a one-person dog – I’m the recipient of all his affection even though he was intended for my daughter.
After awhile, a couple arrived with a small dog – it looked like some small terrier mix. They planted themselves at the far end of the curved beach, and the terrier proceeded to jog along the beach edge, back and forth for the next half hour. Maybe he was in training for some doggie marathon.
That got me thinking. Do dogs have personalities? For example, friends have a labradoodle and he is the friendliest, most trusting dog on the planet. He comes to you to offer his affection, even if he hasn’t met you before. One of our video editors, who got swept up into the world of dogs while editing one of our series, got a greyhound. He had the most gentle, calm demeanor. You could meditate with him.
People usually speak of dogs’ temperaments, which it seems, is a combination of behavior characteristics of the breed, combined with a few other attributes such dominance versus timidity, sociability vs. a loner, playfulness vs. ‘lumpishness’. But, do individual dogs have personalities in the same way people have personalities? For example, we use many descriptors to describe people; moody, arrogant, jolly, easy-going, high strung, controlled, to name just a very few.
Is there such a thing as a charismatic dog, like a charismatic leader or performer? Do dogs have a sense of humor? Do dogs know that they are looking at themselves when they look in a mirror? If so, are they conscious of what they do, or is it all instinct?
Are dogs’ natures shaped by their owners? How about their environment? It’s pretty clear a traumatized or abandoned dog will bear scars for life, but what about dogs, who are wanted and loved. Do they become neurotic living in a chaotic environment? If they have edgy owners, will the dog become edgy? Or will the dog’s basic temperament prevail? Will two dogs from the same litter, who grow up together in the same family, have the same “personalities”? How about in different families?
Some people get the same dog breed throughout their lifetime. Can you tell me, did these dogs each have quite different personalities? What were breed characteristics, and what were unique to the individual, do you think? What about those of you who had a series of different breeds or mixed dogs? To what extent do you think that their individual characteristics were related to their genetic heritage vs. their personal makeup? Did any of your dog’s attributes change when personal circumstances changed?
I want to hear from you. Please upload your thoughts.
Cheers, Sue
9 comments add comments August 31st, 2006
About
Deepak Sahasrabudhe and Susan Millar, along with the many talented people that have worked with them,have produced 22 television documentary series and many “one-offs” since its inception over 20 years ago. Their programs have been on a wide range of subjects: some of the more recent series include, Good Dog!, Nature Walk, Women’s Wellness, and Your Green Home.
Their programs have been honored with over 60 international awards, and have often been rated in the top five most watched series on the networks. The primary broadcasters airing SOMA’s TV series have been Life Network, PBS, TVOntario and others. The series have also been sold all over the world. Deepak has a Bachelor of Sociology/Anthropology from Carleton University. Susan has a Bachelor of Journalism (Honors) from the same university.
Add comment Add comment December 31st, 1969