THE BOND BETWEEN DOGS AND CHILDREN

[Cathy C. Bennett]

The bond between dogs and children is utterly amazing! It will captivate and almost hypnotize you when you see it happening.

I must confess though, I never paid “close” attention to the interactions until Harley & Leo entered my life. Now I am consistently fascinated with the unspoken language between the two.

You may recall THE LITTLE RASCALS, a story posted about our neighbors moving away…

This was a sad day for the neighborhood

This was not only an adjustment period for the other neighborhood children, but for my Boys as well. Two little (two legged) boys, ages 5 & 8 were no longer around. No joke – Leo and “Wilson”took it the hardest.

I had hoped in time memories of them would gradually fade and he would happily settle for “me”throwing the ball and chasing him around the backyard.

But as fate would have it, I do not have to add that to my job description!

New neighbor sightings started about a week ago. DH made initial contact. Men love talking trash (as in truck pick-up schedules), lawns, fertilizer, and weed killers! Over the course of the day we met his wife, his mom, and a few other relatives who stopped by to see the new home and wish them well.

My heart skipped a beat when I heard them say they had two boys 6 & 9 years of age.

Appropriate or not, I had to ask, I just had to:

“Do they like dogs?”

The father said he really wasn’t sure. They never really interacted with dogs, and he wasn’t sure how they would react around “big dogs.” This wasn’t sounding too positive to me.

I thought:

“uh-oh”

DH immediately went into his “infomercial”, explaining:

• both dogs are very good with kids
• they’ve never shown aggressive tendencies
• they play “exceptionally” well with all the other children in the neighborhood.

Oh, he covered it all, he even described their personalities:

• Harley is the one that loves attention and is a bit of a jumper
• Leo’s rather shy in the beginning.

He went on an on. At one point I wondered if he was trying to close a sale!

However the father remained reserved and expressionless.

So now it’s the weekend. A typical September Saturday on our block. Sounds of children playing, lawn mowers roaring, and my two occasionally barking for additional attention – filled the air.

I eventually came out to capture some photos and was pleasantly surprised to see the “new kids on the block” outside too.

What I saw warmed my heart. I saw the magic.

I watched in awe at:

• the way Harley sensed their hesitation so he didn’t jump (at least not at first), he remained calm upon their approach.
• as Leo scurried backwards on his belly to allow this child to come closer to “Wilson.” It was as if he was saying, “it’s ok, you can throw it to me, I’ll move back and give you some room.”
• how dogs and children bond.

Later that afternoon while on the computer, a comment came across the screen from anipal and reader “Sheila” (doodle mom to Finley). SIDE NOTE: I ruv when readers comment on my stories“hint-hint”, because it’s such a cool way for me to talk with new furrends.

Although Sheila’s initial comment referred to a recent post WILSON & LEO BANISHED TOGETHER, it was her second paragraph that made me smile…

Here in Doodleville, we love “comments”

Someone else wanted to know what I had just found out. So Sheila – this one’s for you….

When I came outside, this is what I saw…

Looks like a club meeting doesn’t it?

Everyone under the tree…

The incredible bond between dogs and children

like old times…

A language of their very own

I had fun teasing their “father” about his earlier statement as his boys took my boys…

“Hey Mom – someone’s here to see you?”

…to meet their “mom”…

“Allow me to introduce myself – I’m Harley”

In one afternoon the new “rascals” felt so comfortable with Harley & Leo, it made pawfect sense to take them in the backyard to see what they were made of. It was “ball playing time”...

Leo waits patiently until he’s comfortable taking “Wilson”

On your mark, get set…

Go…

This is called the “wind-up” pitch

Our Gang is back in business…

The Boys have been blessed again with “groovy” (pun intended) neighbors

Thanks fur reading, I’ll keep on writing…

[Jeanine Bandini]

I love your story! We have 2 girls (ages 6 and almost 9) and Wally (our doodle) just mope's around the house until they come home from school. I can testify to the power of dog-kid bonds!

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

Oh no they would run around and cause ruckus!  LOL!  we also do not have much of a yard space out in front and no sidewalks so it's very dangerous...we live in a hilly area where is does not feel very suburban.  I was asking because you wrote that you were inside and when you went outside you saw that they were hanging out with the kids.  But duh...your DH was there haha!  I do love that they are hanging out in front with all the kids (attended) but with no leashes.  I hope some day mine will be as calm and well behaved :)

[Cathy C. Bennett]

How nice to know that so many are enjoying our adventures. No, I do not leave them outside unattended. They were very easy to train to remain on our property, and when they do go visiting neighbors next to us, we are outside with them. My husband is a big yard person, so he's always out there or in the garage tinkering with something. They will play in the backyard for a spell without us, but it's fenced in. I don't really care for electric fences, and I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving them out front alone. Traffic, strangers, they may decide that was the day to wonder, who knows... Do you leave your two out in the front by themselves? 

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

Oh I saw Sheilas comment too and was waiting for your next blog! :)
I love that they love Harley and Leo. Good thing they are both such sweet and wonderful doors! Question: Do you just leave Harley and Leo out in the front yard by themselves?

[Cathy C. Bennett]

Thank you Miss Ellie!

[Miss Ellie]

Cathy, what an awesome story...my heart is so happy to hear that they now have some playmates once again...so very sweet!

[Cathy C. Bennett]

Hi Christine - I too am happy about our new neighbors, looks like loads of fun on the block again...

Thanks so much for reading.

[Christine & Camus]

So glad your boys made new friends :)