Dog Therapy

Owning a dog is free therapy. I don't know what it is, but most dog owners I talk to feel the same way. I was thinking about this tonight when we took our evening stroll. I had a good day today, so I wasn't feeling the need to even get out and walk, but for my dog's sake we did. Even though I wasn't so excited to take our walk, I realized I suddenly was so happy because we were walking. What is it that causes that? Well, part of it is Hannah herself. She doesn't really walk - I think she bounces. Her ears certainly do bounce and a grin stretches ear to ear as she joyfully takes in her surroundings - surroundings she's seen for the last eight months I've owned her, but she still acts as though it's new and exciting EVERY time we go out. I think that is part of it - she is so joyful that I can't help but be joyful. She is happy to be out and about so I can't help but be happy to be out and about.

Plus, her antics usually entertain me (okay, sometimes they frustrate me - like when she insists on trying to take out skateboarders). For instance, tonight I took video of her attacking the vacuum cleaner and then laughed heartily when she was scared by an orange rubber cone with yellow caution tape wrapped around it. Why that was scary to her, I have no idea, but it was pretty funny. Hannah has been in her own therapy this summer; she has some social issues due to lack of confidence (yes, the trainer said that). Because of her anxiety with other dogs, she doesn't like them invading her space... especially sniffing her butt. Now, this may sound horrible, but that's a typical dog greeting. Hannah can't handle it - she has no problem sniffing other dogs, but doesn't like to let them do the same. So yes, one of our lessons consisted of me backing Hannah up to a fence and letting other dogs sniff her butt. Talk about awkward and feeling like you are allowing your dog to be violated...but still...you gotta laugh at that scenario! Never thought I'd be practicing smelling dog butt!

Then, I think about all of her nicknames. They are endless. Best yet, she doesn't even care that I call her half the things I call her! They include: Hannah Banana, Banana dog, Baby Dog, Baby Girl, Girl Dog, Baby D, Hannah D, Hannah B, Diggity, Digga-digga Do, Dig, Dog-a-latte, Whimper Dog, Bark-a-roll, Sweetest, Sweet, Lovey, Lovey-dog, Child . I sing to her too - the most popular is "Shake your Booty" (she's very good at that with her little nubby tail) or Hannah-nah-nah, Hannah-nah-nah - hey hey hey, goodbye.

There is also knowing that someone wants you to come home and is going to be excited EVERY time you come home. Hannah always greets me at the fence and her little butt shakes as she moves her little nub of a tail. She always has a big grin on her face. How does that not melt your heart?

Who needs therapy when you have a dog?