Comments on: Do Dogs Shrink or Grow our Worlds?

By: Aleksandra

Aleksandra — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 18:05:49 +0000

Another great post. I often think about this too– about how being so dog-absorbed both grows and shrinks my world. In the end, is it a draw? Maybe. But the dog community is such a comfy, cozy home for me and mine, that it’s worth any tradeoff I may have made.

By: Bessie Mac

Bessie Mac — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 16:57:56 +0000

Great post! I know that since beginning my life as a doggy foster mom that I have met so many different sorts of folks, and it has grown my world — not shrink it!

By: Julie

Julie — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 15:19:16 +0000

Soon after we got our dog Cali, I started a dog walking business and then a pet photography business, so I have been immersed in the “dog lover world” for many years. For the last year I worked as a graphic designer for a garden center and the best part of my day was saying hello to the dogs that visited the store. Now, I’m back to being immersed in “dog lover world” and I wouldn’t have it any other way 🙂

By: Mary Haight

Mary Haight — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 01:55:48 +0000

Hi Pamela, and thanks for the great mention! My dog is a great conversation starter – one of the few Shih Tzus in the area and certainly the only one with his full coat (although that may change with this weather)! I’ve also met a lot of great bloggers:)who have introduced new information that has expanded my view in many ways, and enriched my dog’s life as a result. I’m definitely in the camp that thinks dogs grow our world, and if we pay attention, we get to share, or at least notice the world we live in from their POV.

By: Kristin G.

Kristin G. — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 16:10:53 +0000

Very well said! I’ve met some of my favorite friends through my dogs. I tend to tune out a lot of news media because the sensationalism is too much. I try to keep up with current events in the news, but I don’t want anyone’s point of view drilled into my head over and over. And politics, YUCK, often it’s just an embarrassment: Anthony Weiner (enough said.) I’m like you, I’ll stick with dogs for the most part. I know some people don’t get the fascination with dogs, but that’s ok. My dogs get it. 🙂

By: Just Ramblin'

Just Ramblin' — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 12:26:06 +0000

Your post is intriguing and provokes thought. Dogs do both…expand and focus our attention and even intentions. It is what we end up choosing to do that makes a mark on this world. What may come from our love of dogs and the varied people we meet and encounter is up to us and whether or not we leave an imprint on this world. Even if we start out focusing on _______ (insert topic here…but for most of us here it seems to be dogs), we end up discovering more about each other, ourselves, as well as reaching outside of our own universes. Thanks for causing the pause in thinking. : )

By: Jen

Jen — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 00:36:50 +0000

Well, for me, without the Elka Doberman, I would never have seen your blog, nor would I have multiple message boards I visit, and I wouldn’t have a Twitter account. In fact, the people I already know are the people I would have socially networked with.

With Elka, I started a blog. I have an accompanying Twitter. I exhaustively read dog books, dog blogs, dog news….I do agree somewhat that if you are of a certain search style or mindset, you could in fact entirely avoid being confronted by contradictory ideas. Or, conversely, you can seek out the ideas that you hate (physically corrective dog training, for an example) and put forth an idea that you love (clicker training, for another example) [disclaimer, examples are from my mind, as I don’t necessarily know yours!] With Elka, I see a lot of dog stuff I don’t like. I see a lot that I do. I have a lot of positive interactions, and a lot that I find ridiculous (OMG Dobermans are so scary, don’t’cha know?)

The Internet, at least, is what you make of it. It is a wonderful place full of a lot of information and also a lot of nonsense . It is a micromacrocosm, as it were (I just made that word up. I might trademark it ;p ).

By: houndstooth

houndstooth — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 23:35:17 +0000

I agree with you completely! When I go out places with Bunny, everybody wants to talk to me and ask questions about her. Alone, I’m just another face in the crowd. I’ve met so many wonderful people through my dogs, and I’m glad for every one of them! One reason that I generally keep my blog light-hearted is because I think there is too much bad news in the world. It just becomes overwhelming at times. I want people to remember that there is beauty, humor and warmth in the world, too.

By: Vicky

Vicky — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 23:33:15 +0000

Well thought out post. I know that my love of animals is not a partisan issue, as evidenced by the broad cross-section of people I meet through blogging and working with a pet-related nonprofit, and within that cross-section there are a really broad range of ideas that are frequently debated. Yes, the Internet can, especially depending on your choice of browser, begin narrowing the focus of what you’re searching for, but if you are aware it can happen throwing the occasional wrench into the works is a good thing 🙂

By: Kristine

Kristine — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 17:55:45 +0000

I definitely agree that my dog has expanded my social network greatly. Before her I barely knew anyone in this city. I certainly didn’t know that man down the street who adores Shih Tzus or the woman with the aging Siberian Husky who’s been through some difficult times. It never even occured to me to say hello until I had a dog in tow.

However, I do feel a little bit less patient with those not deep in the “dog world”. It surprises me now when people quote a certain dog trainer or when people talk about looking for a puppy at a pet store. Or when someone gives me a weird look when I say I have to get home to let out my dog. I often find myself thinking, “what is wrong with this person, don’t they know?” Obviously they don’t. It’s so easy for me to forget that because everyone in my current world is an animal lover. Everyone in my current world has a very similar point of view about animal welfare. In order for me to remember that not everyone knows or cares about the massive feral cat problem, I think I need to take some steps out of my bubble every now and then. It will make be a better person, I think, and a better advocate.