“Happiness is a warm puppy.” – Charles Shultz (cartoonist, Peanuts)
Today is National Puppy Day!
Just about everyone loves puppies. They are cuddly, playful, fun-loving and so interested in everything that we do. They see us as the leader of their pack, and they follow us around wherever we go. They greet us as best friends without judgment or dishonesty. They can actually help us be healthier and happier! Check this out!
But we all know they can also be very challenging. They put everything in their mouths and are a near constant threat to themselves, our home and our furniture! This is especially true if we are not a stay-at-home-worker. So, here is a great article on how to work with your new puppy when you work away from home.
There can be a dark side, though. The welfare of puppies and dogs should be all of our concern, for “man’s best friend” can become “man’s worst enemy”, as in this article about a city in India, when they are not managed properly and they terrorize the people.
An education and mature development of our sense of human concern, responsibility and even intervention in the upbringing and care of dogs is often much needed. There are so many voices on this subject that I will leave you to an easy hour or two Googling that topic.
But there was one more fascinating thing for me over the years. I own Huskies, and often they are confused at first with wolves by my neighbors. It’s probably because we live in Florida, where they are not as common. And humans have a poor history with wolves for many reasons.
But did you get a chance to catch up on this story on the 1995 re-introduction of wolves into Yellowstone Park? It is a remarkable example of a trophic cascade that renewed a life-giving space and illustrates the amazing Balance of Nature.
So, enjoy that puppy, and help him or her to be a great companion and you to be a happier, healthier and more complete human!
