Welcome to my dogly world!  This was the best way to describe the way I view the world, both figuratively and literally. The dogs in my life have often served as muses for some of my thoughts and theories about this crazy, scary world.  However, it is God who truly gives me the guidance I need to live among His creations, man and beast, and to look beyond this dogly world we live in and find the joy.  I hope you will be encouraged and amused by my ponderings.  And please note, this blog is not just about dogs, and it really doesn’t matter if you like them (but I kinda hope you do).

Moses (the pirate dog pictured above) has an anxiety problem.  I don’t know how he got that way, but I suspect his life on the run (he was a stray/rescue) and immersion into a new environment and family proved too traumatic for him. It didn’t take long for his many “issues” to unfold.  High pitched barking at imaginary voices, attacking all floor cleaning appliances, running away from home, and heightened anxiety when we have company, were just a few of his special gifts.   We tried to correct these behaviors with consistent training and discipline.  Uhmm, well, with consistent training.   Well, maybe not so consistent.  Okay, okay.  We kept it up for a week and then gave up.  So we opted to just accept him “as is” and buy the little guy a sweater.   After all, dressing up for the holidays is a fine way to improve self-esteem and build confidence (and the sweater was 50% off).  Poor Moses.  He was about as interested in making a fashion statement as we were in reading “The Idiot’s Guide to Dog Psychiatry.” To Moses, this ill-fitting, not-in-his-color-wheel, sweat blanket was really, “the Sweater of Shame.”

Maybe it was because we chuckled.  Maybe it was because we commented on “how handsome him look.”  Perhaps it was the way his pack stared at him with their heads cocked to one side.  Whatever the reason, Moses was transformed.  He stopped jumping up on people, stopped biting their hands to get them to pet him, and by all accounts, he seemed calmer.  He also began staring at walls, shifting his ears downward, and hanging his head, avoiding all eye contact.  Hmmm…..a small price to pay for tranquility in my book.  We do get a laugh at how he thinks the sweater limits his ability to move about and interact with the rest of the pack (our 3 other mutts).  After all, it’s just a sweater!  But to Moses, it’s a force field that inhibits movement, and for all intents and purposes may as well be a straight-jacket.  It also seems to be a source of humiliation for him, as the alpha dog, to be hindered in such a way, in front of his pack.

Watching Moses behave this way got me thinking about my own perceived limitations and how I have handicapped myself with my own “Sweater of Shame.”  Fear.  Through the years, my sweater has prevented me from doing some of life’s most basic tasks, and has created immense anxiety and hesitation.  My “sweater” has robbed me of so much joy and I think it has been a source of embarrassment for me as well.  I want to be this courageous and confident role model for my pack, but this sweater just gets in the way.  Luckily for Moses, his canine super powers are restored once the sweater comes off.  Mine, not so much.  Mostly because I can’t get the darned thing off!  I’ve only recently come to the realization, that once you allow your sweater to cling this tightly to you, it’s time to ask for help to take it off.  It was time to put down my weapons of do-it-in-your-own-strength (crowbars, scissors, matches), and start using the power tools provided by my faith.  God’s word and promises and the wonderful church and people he has surrounded me with can certainly help me take the steps necessary to remove this barrier.  Please note, you should probably have your pastor and friends read this blog before you ask them to help you “remove your sweater” – it may not translate well!  This blog is my way of taking that leap of faith to act on something that has long been on my heart, but held captive under my sweater!  You are witnessing step one of conquering my fears, and letting those voices in my head come out to play (did I mention those?).  Today my sweater comes off!

As for Moses, unless he can learn how to self-soothe, or write his own blog, he will have to suffer through the remainder of his life clothed in the Martha Stewart collection from Petsmart.  I hear her Spring line is fabulous!