Deep Thoughts While Stuck in Traffic

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

As I drove in heavy traffic through town in a REALLY BAD neighborhood today I saw what looked like a medium doodle of about 38-40lbs.  Tail was shorter, so maybe a poodle mix? Beautiful red/apricot shaded colors. This poor red dog look scruffy like maybe someone had done a really bad scissor cut ( but I've done that a few times to my doodles)  It's weight was good and other than that, was it just a bad hair cut?  A really BAD hair cut. Certainly they did not own a Les Pooche Brush!   I saw it running and chasing kids in the dirt which was all the tiny front yard offered.

My first thoughts, OH MY GOODNESS, I'm going to save that dog from hell.  I wanted to jump out of my car and rescue it right then. But it was happy in its run with the children, I certainly would get caught or worse yet, shot in my attempt to dognap, and in traffic I traveled on my way.

Well later I was called back to travel once again across town.  Taking the same route I saw the same dog in the lap and arms of a young girl who looked about 11 years old.  They were just sitting on the sidewalk talking with other children.  The dog all cuddled between her.

So what does it take to be a good dog owner I thought to myself?  These people obviously had NO MONEY, a battered home, a yard of dirt, and too many children IMO.

But this dog, that I wanted to rescue from hell, at least from my second view seemed happy to romp with these children on a busy street, in the dirt and on the sidewalk with them.

It was held and cuddled and played!

If I were to rescue it from what I thought was hell,  would that make it happy?   Would it like to live with this old lady?   Would it think a cushy bed, a fenced in yard, prime food, good vet care, a great car to ride in would be better?

How dare I think that this is what makes a dog's life good.   How dare I think I can offer better? 

Maybe just too much traffic and driving for me today?

[Tessa, Ellie and Wheezy]

Great blog.....sometimes I feel the same way and lately I've been looking at rescue dogs....I read the first post by F Parker..."two doodles are good...3 is too many".....I need to post that on my computer!!!!!  

I'm sure that is one of the happiest doodles......what did the Beatles sing?  "Love is all you need"  :)

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Joanne, I have to commend you because when I am stuck in traffic I am thinking...why doesn't this stupid traffic move....no mister, you are not getting in front of me.....get out of the fast lane, slowpoke. I never have any deep thoughts in bad traffic. You, on the other hand, have great thoughts and then come home and write a terrific blog about those thoughts. What's the old expression....money only buys things, not love :) Sounds like that dog is happy. Thank you for sharing!!!

[Ellen, Brûlée, and Tira]

Interesting that your path, the second time, took you right where you needed to go to see that all was well for that doggie that you were worried about.  Now your mind can be at ease...no nagging concerns that you might have left him in bad circumstances.  Sounds like Someone(?) is looking out for you, as well!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Interesting blog and I couldn't agree more.  That dood/pood/whatever is probably one of the happiest dogs around. Peri wouldn't care if she slept on concrete as long as it was near me :)  Pretty sure about that one.

[Carol and Banjo]

Wonderful blog Joanne - thanks for the "food for thought"!   I've had similar thoughts when I've come upon children who seemed to be living a less than "perfect" life and on closer inspection I've realized that they had more than seemed obvious to the casual observer.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

All they need is love and food. I do believe that you had an inspiring thought and the dog is loved.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I absolutely LOVE this blog, Joanne.  I couldn't agree more.  Dogs need love more than anything else.  I'm sure this Doodle has no idea that he's "scruffy" or that his family is poor.  Our trainer tells me often about many of the really wealthy clients that he works with whose dogs lead lonely and unfulfilled lives, deprived of the things they need most.....but they have tons of toys and the best food.  They have beautiful yards....but nobody to play with them and show them that they are loved.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Definitely too much traffic. While you pondered fromthe dog's perspective, I thought of yours. Two doodles are good, three are too many. Repeat after me, Two doodles are good, three are too many. I am sure the dog was happy because really dogs don't care about designer leashes or cute outfits etc. This dog had people that it loved and vice versa. More than good enough.