Our Dog has Issues

Our dog has issues.

Besides her ears.

She’s a prime candidate for The Dog Whisperer. She’s wasn’t properly socialized as a puppy before we rescued her from the Humane Society, so everything scares her. Her tail, which is long like a German Shepard’s, but curls up into question mark, frequently causes her much distress. When we’re at home it’s constantly wagging, but if it touches something when she’s not looking, she’s a candidate for resuscitation.

Sometimes I leave my bookbag in the kitchen overnight. Earlier this week, at 5:30 a.m. when I stumbled downstairs to take her out, she nearly made ME a candidate for resuscitation when she stood in the dining room with all her hair standing on end barking at something in the kitchen. I thought we were goners – ax murdered for sure. . .”goin’ to the morgue in my pajamas” kind of thoughts racing through my head. . .

“Just protecting you from that dangerous, stripey bookbag Mom!”

Thanks Sophie.

Over the last few months I’ve noticed another of her issues coming out.

She has a particular affinity for people in pain.

Being pretty shy, when folks come to our house to visit, our dog doesn’t do much interacting. She barks and then keeps her distance. Except for those who are hurting. Emotional pain – pain just below the surface, seems to be her specialty. Within minutes, she’s sitting at the feet of someone who needs comfort, shoving her wet nose into their hands and laying her head on their knee. If allowed, she’ll slowly slink her 60 pound body up into their lap so that she can lay her head on their shoulder.

At first, I wrote it off to coincidence. Then I began to watch more closely. If there are a dozen or so people in the group, she’ll make her way to the one who needs her most. If no one appears to be in pain, she spends the evening at my feet.

Occasionally I have taken cues from Sophie about who needs a phone call or an encouraging note.

One night, someone was at my house who was in an emotional crisis. Sophie had never really liked her all that much, having spent about a dozen Wednesday evenings with her. This particular night the woman was feeling very sad and alone. She arrived to talk, and immediately Sophie was right there, soothing, calming, and comforting her. She spent the entire evening that way.

Sophie hasn’t had anything to do with her since. “No need to Mom! She’s OK now. . .I’ll let you know if there’s anything else she needs!”

I guess it isn’t the fact that and ordinary mutt with a curly tail and big brown eyes can discern another’s pain that I find to be so amazing.

It’s that she’s so willing to just wade right into the middle of it, offer them a grip on her question mark tail and tow them back into safer water. No questions asked, no bill in the mail.