REFUSING TO SHARE THE SPOTLIGHT

REFUSING TO SHARE THE SPOTLIGHT

The large dog park next to the Mississippi River is a wonderful place to relax and see the smiling faces of those who love dogs. This weekend I (Allen) took a break from preparing for our new book launch and brought our cocker spaniel Leaf for a visit to the dog park.

We have not gone for a couple of weeks due to my travel and workload. But Saturday morning was to be our time together. Plus, I had an idea for a photo shoot.

I brought my camera and a copy of our newly published book DOGS AND THE WOMEN WHO LOVE THEM. I told Leaf I wanted to take a picture with the book beside him, because his story is featured in it. I explained that it would be fun to share the photo of him sitting next to his book in one of his favorite places where he likes to run and play.

As silly as this may sound, Linda and I have observed that if we explain in great detail what we want and why, Leaf not only cooperates but also he helps in his own creative way to complete our tasks.

We entered the dog park and walked toward the large tree stump where Leaf sits during each visit. His ritual is to begin the journey by marking his favorite tree stump, jumping on top of it, and surveying his land as if he were King Leaf.

He sat on his tree as I placed the book next to him and prepared the camera for his photo session. All of sudden, four dogs, different sizes, colors, and appearances, ran up to join Leaf in his photo opportunity. There was a lot of excitement as each dog attempted to jump on the stump and become part of the scene.

Leaf immediately showed his disapproval. He protected his tree stump and chased each dog away, one by one. While this may be only in my imagination, I got the impression that Leaf wanted the spotlight. After all, it's his story in the book; not the other dogs. What's fair is fair. Leaf has a great sense of fairness.

After Leaf chased the other dogs away, he ran back and jumped on the tree stump. I took photos while he posed regally next to HIS book.

After the photo session we enjoyed an hour of his running, swimming, chasing, and being chased by playful dogs. As is our game, he retrieved the balls I repeatedly threw for him.

While we walked on the wooded trail back to the dog park entrance, I saw a woman with short gray hair pushing a cart that contained a large number of small bags. I had always noticed a wooden box with plenty of poop bags for dog park visitors to pick up after their dogs. I had wondered who put the clean bags in the box. Now, here might be the mysterious "poop bag angel".

As I looked at this kindly, gentle woman, I saw someone who had a lot of light and love in her presence. I asked, "Are you the one who supplies bags for visitors?" With a big smile, she said, "Yes. The company I work for throws them away. I asked if I could take the bags for dog park, and they let me. So I bring them here every week. People have so much on their minds. It's one of the only times they can go somewhere and just enjoy being with their dogs. I want to help them do that."

I thanked the woman and asked if I could give her our new book DOGS AND THE WOMEN WHO LOVE THEM as a thank you for her labor of love. I looked over toward where Leaf sat, as he watched us talking. "This is his special place to be," I explained. She looked at the book cover and with the sweetest smile of gratitude said, "Oh my, thank you."

As we left the dog park I also felt gratitude for the time I've spent with our dog in a very special place and how far he has come from when we first adopted him. Linda wrote about his journey from fear to trust and love in our new book. Be sure to look for "Winning the Love of a Dog Who Wouldn't Kiss Me."

Visit www.angelanimals.net/nlimage44.html to see Leaf and the book that chronicles his story.



Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network - Where Pets Are Family!
www.angelanimals.net
www.dogsandthewomenwholovethem.com

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