Ever since I moved to the village, I have seen people crossing the road with a stick in their hands. I asked someone, why he carries it with him. The answer was “to protect me if a dog attacks”. There is the lesson “fight or flight” because of fear but even using a stick to hurt a dog, that will still be there. The lesson I learned from my father is that unless you run or hit the dog, he does nothing to you. This thing made me love dogs even more.

It happened to me that some people coming to my gate, tried hitting my dog over the gate, in my yard, with the whip or the fist. Although, he only does his “job”. He barks because he defends his yard and owner.

That is why I agree with Mark Twain’s words:

The more I learn about people, the more I like my dog. 

– M. Twain

Learning about people you like or hate them

Unfortunately, in the society we live in, you can be easily fooled. Especially if you do not listen to your instinct, do not know the body language, or do not look into people’s eyes.

Many times we are afraid to look into people’s eyes. We don’t look into ourselves, so how can we do it with others? We’re afraid of what we might find there. Maybe, what we see resonates with what we feel. And we just want to feel good. Thus, we prefer lying than to think beyond the barriers we live in. However, the wrong part is still part of our life and by not accepting it, we do not accept the whole. It destroys our comfort for we do not like change.

In addition, we are taught to listen only to the voice of rationality and to ignore our instinct. Then, many times we cry or are sorry for we did not.

Moreover, the man lies to you and can do it with much nonchalance. Some do not think they can hurt through lies or their actions. Maybe, they don’t care.

Learning about dogs, you like them

Instead, the dog will look you in the eye. He communicates with you in this way. He feels what you feel. He knows if he can trust you or not. It is because he is just his feelings. I said he just loves or tries to defend himself. When he loves you, his gestures make you feel loved because he offers you his unconditional love.

If a dog will not come to you after having looked you in the face, you should go home and examine your conscience.

― Woodrow Wilson

The dog doesn’t lie to you. He eats what you give him because he trusts you. I saw a dog beaten, with his teeth broken, another one with one eye removed and yet they returned to their owners. It is because they know loyalty, respect, and unconditional love.

I posted again because it is very dear to me. On the one hand, because I love the beings in it. On the other hand, for me, it is the bond formed between two beings who do not belong to the same category but share respect and love.

How do we treat dogs?

We are those who are trying to humanize them, using clothes and accessories. Also, we are those who hurt, starve or kill them. At the same time, there are people living in the canals or on the streets. They do not afford clothes that others allow for a dog. Where is our humanity?

I said that I moved to the village and the first impediment I reached was waking up with uninvited guests in the yard. I actually found one in the house and he was an unknown person. It was the first time that happened to me (and the last). I was shocked at that time.

Also, here in the village, I discovered that some people can keep a dog but do not love it. In addition, if they come to your door they take care to have a stick in their hand and to hit your dog if he barks.

A dog’s life

We are talking about a man who lives badly as he lives a dog life. If he is sick, we say he suffers like a dog.

Actually, a dog suffers because the man makes him suffer. We keep him tied, beat him, starve him or kill his puppies. He is a free-born being that adapts to the conditions in which he lives. If he has no food, he looks for it, if he has no shelter, he looks for. If he meets a man who offers him little food, he loves him.

They teach us about friendship, selflessness, and loyalty. They also teach us the way to communicate without words, to listen more than hear, and accept death with grace.

Difference between a person and a dog?

It is not our rationality. It is his loyalty:

If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man.

– Mark Twain

It is also his love:

A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.

– Josh Billings

Athena (my dog in the pictures) does not bark at some people who pass my threshold, although she is “a bad dog”. So, I believe my dog ​​when she barks because she listens to her instinct, and that is not a lie.

Learning about people, I respect the man, but I love my bad dog.

I’m suspicious of people who don’t like dogs, but I trust a dog when it doesn’t like a person. 

– Bill Murray

Photos by me

With Love,

Copyright © 2019 manuela@inalove.world