Monday morning was a nice morning weather wise, which meant that my friend, Michael, from church and I could finally keep a date we had made several weeks back.....to take our dogs to the Dog Park. We met, as planned, at 9 o'clock at the park and let the dogs loose in the very large fenced in area. When we got there there were maybe 4 or 5 other dogs and owners already there. It was an interesting visit and I observed some things that relate to us as humans. But first....
- the dogs were of all different breeds, and probably temperaments (in that certain breeds historically have specific temperaments)
- they were all different in size, shape, and color
- they varied greatly in age
- they also varied in physical condition...some were showing signs of old age issues
Here was what was most interesting about this collection of dogs that didn't know each other before all being let loose in the park:
- they all got along
- they all played well
- they all seemed to enjoy the company of all the others
- they all seemed quite happy and at peace in their surroundings
- there were no tense moments to be observed
- none were ignored by any of the other dogs
- there was a whole lot of happy dog tail wagging going on
As Michael and I watched the interaction between all of these "strangers" it became quite clear how different they are than we are as humans. It clearly brought to mind that what we humans automatically bring to the table with us as we meet or interact with others are such things as:
- prejudices
- fears
- baggage
- preconceptions
- misconceptions
- our ability to thin-slice
- guardedness
- insecurity
- biases
Our conclusion was that we really are kind of messed up when it comes to dealing with others....unlike our dogs. And we both wondered what the world might be like if only we acted like our dogs when with others. As I have said before, there just might be something to the fact that dog is God spelled backwards. Perhaps to ever remind us of His ways?
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