Dog Island
It seems most humans are happiest in and near water, so it makes sense that our dogs would be too. There are dogs who surf, and dogs that spend their whole summers aboard boats. It is a common scene to see a dog and its owner playing fetch in the surf at sunset. We even have a swimming stroke named after dogs.
Martha's Vineyard and dogs seem to go hand in hand; we have a dog park, stores that cater to only dogs, famous restaurants and clothing lines honoring a dog (you know the one). Many Island stores have their resident pooch; Vineyard Electronics, SBS, and Island Entertainment to name a few. It seems every Island contractor you see has a trusting companion sitting in his truck waiting for him. Many a dog has kept a lonely sea captain company on our waters over the years.
Our family's first dog came from a shelter near Boston. Their shelter was full and they felt our dog would have a wonderful life on the island. They drove her down to Woods Hole, crated her, and boarded her on the Steamship. She made the trip across the ocean by herself, not knowing what lay ahead of her. We arrived at the Island's shelter a week later and 'Starr' spent the next 13 years as a huge part of our family. She always kept a motherly eye on my three boys, they were part of her pack. One day she even jumped in between my three year old and two aggressive pit bulls who had just moved into the neighborhood. Starr came out with numerous stitches, but my son was safe.
The first domesticated dogs can be traced back to eastern Asia over 14,000 years ago, they were in fact, Grey Wolves. They were domesticated to assist in herding, hunting, tracking, protection, and sled pulling. Although there exist a large number of jobs still available to certain breeds of dogs such as; rescue dogs, therapy dogs, drug sniffing, cadaver, seeing eye and assistance dogs, the majority are bred for companionship.
Dogs easily accept humans as part of their pack and/or leader. Studies have shown that dogs pick up on social cues reading what humans want even better than chimpanzees. The chimpanzee has his own agenda, where the dog is focused solely on the human. Dogs have innate traits to please their pack mates. They are very intelligent, and communicate through smell and energy. So the more in tune we become with energy and that of our pets, the closer relationship we can develop with them. Studies also show that owning a pet, specifically a dog, can reduce your blood pressure, and anxiety and even extend your life span.
We have all heard of incredible stories of dogs who saved human lives when they, ran for help, woke up the house when they smelled smoke, warned of an intruder, alerted to the onset of a seizure, detected cancer in a person, or sensed natural disasters like tsunamis thus fleeing to higher ground. The list is endless to the miracles imparted upon us by our furry friends.
The next time you are feeling lonely or depressed take your dog or a friend's dog for a walk. Pick up on the sheer joy the dog is emanating from being with you and out in nature, you will feel better instantly.
"Come here girl....come on let's go!"
**Watch this YouTube Video -SURFice Dog
Submit your own Inspirational article, meditation, photo, poem, etc "For Our Earth" dept.send your submissions to editor@islandinspirationmag.com check out our Writer's Guidelines.