What our dogs can teach us about being human
“Different breeds. Same heart.”
“Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen.” – Orhan Pamuk
I heard someone recently draw a comparison between city dogs and country dogs, and it made more sense than I wanted to admit.
It started as a chuckle. Then it started to feel like a mirror.
Because, funny thing is, dogs have a way of reflecting us. . . our habits, our hangups, our surroundings.
And the more I thought about it, the more I saw myself, and a few folks I know, wagging somewhere in that comparison.
City Dogs
They’re elegant. Polished. Maybe a little pampered.
They walk on sidewalks, wait at crosswalks, and know which cafés hand out biscuits.
They’re well-behaved, trained to stay close and not bark unless absolutely necessary.
They ride elevators, dodge traffic, and ignore strangers unless invited.
But take a city dog out to the country?
Off-leash, no sidewalks, and squirrels galore?
They’ll either stand there in total confusion or lose their blessed minds.
Country Dogs
They roam. They bark at the wind. They know where the fence line ends and the coyotes start.
They’re part alarm system, part therapist, part porch greeter.
They might come when you call or they might be off chasing a rabbit to the next county.
They drink from puddles, roll in dead things, and think baths are a form of punishment.
But drop them into a high-rise with no grass, no porch, and a leash law?
They’ll pace. They’ll sulk. They’ll howl to the moon.
So What’s the Point?
Same as people.
Some of us were raised with crosswalks and curfews.
Some of us with barbed wire fences and no bedtime.
Some of us learned to stay between the lines. Others never saw any lines to begin with.
And just like dogs, we get twitchy when we’re out of our comfort zones.
And Then There’s This Funny Little Thing…
Ever notice that dog is just God spelled backward?
Now, I’m not saying there’s divine doctrine in that, but I wouldn’t put it past the Almighty to plant a little wink in the language just for fun.
Dogs are loyal, forgiving, full of joy, and never hesitate to offer comfort even when we haven’t exactly earned it.
They show up, tail wagging, eyes bright, no grudge in sight.
Kind of sounds familiar, doesn’t it?
Maybe that’s the real lesson, whether you’re a city dog, country dog, or just some mutt trying to make sense of things.
We all need a little grace.
A little patience.
And a whole lot of love.
Closing Thought
In a world that keeps trying to divide us into types and tribes, maybe it’s good to remember this:
City dogs.
Country dogs.
Still just dogs.
Mutts.
Trying to do their best.
Wagging when they can.
And occasionally dragging something they shouldn’t into the living room.
But here’s the beauty. . .
Neither is better.
One’s not smarter. One’s not braver.
They’re just different.
City dogs survive on instincts like patience, awareness, and obedience.
Country dogs rely on resourcefulness, grit, and bark-louder-than-your-bite.
The real challenge, and maybe the real wisdom, is knowing what kind of dog you are
and learning to appreciate the ones who aren’t like you.