Loving Dogs
Saturday, July 5th 2008 @ 10:29 PM
In a small sleepy corner of Montana nestled between peaks of mountains and the flowing Kootenai River, sets a small town of merely 900. Not counting the dogs (or cats).
I'm a California native, and so a "transplant" so to speak to this small Montana town. Culture shock would be a mild expression from the city freeways, communtes, and endless building and suburbs, 12 years ago.
Dogs have become a wonderful part of my life even after some terrifying and damaging experiences as a youngster.
Dogs in the cities I resided seemed somewhat different
! Running in fenced yards, and small kennels in housing tracks, and playing in the households. For the most part that is my experience in Southern California city life.
My first day in Montana I started counting the number of dogs on motorcycles! Absolutely incredible. They were everywhere! Rarely was there a motorcycle with out a dog!
Then the absolute shock to this city dweller of walking into business establishments with dogs ALLOWED!
Dogs were every where, laying mostly at the feet of the owners in restaurants, pubs, just about any kind of business. It was the norm (and still is) of every day life. (Grocery stores excluded of course).
The wonder and bond of people and their dogs, and the wonderful companionship was obvious. In 12 years I've only witnessed one scrap with dogs of opposing views and quickly handled. I find this still amazing!
The love affair, of the animals and people, with ALL kinds of animals is more than a joy to experience. It's as if life is as it should be. Nature is not separate, or somewhere to go "to", it's experienced daily. These wonderful companions we call dogs have expanded my life, opened my eyes to so much, and has given me a joy I've previously unknown with animals. I learned from observing, and this alone has helped me raise a litter of 16 Walker Hounds, and a few others breeds, with such ease, it's truly incredible.
I'm quite sure there are many of you out there from various locations who may have experienced somewhat similar experiences if you've moved from city life to a rural one.
Feel free to share your experiences on my blog. I would love to hear from all of you. Thank you for taking the time to read my short story of a journey of joy.
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