Dog Charming; Behaviour Consultant & Trainer
0419 905 466
  • Home
  • About
    • Qualifications, Methods & Ethics, Membership
    • Guarantee
  • Behaviour and Training Solutions
    • Initial Consultations/Hourly Rate
    • Puppy Set-Up
    • Discounted Training Package
    • Problem Behaviours
  • Let's Get Started
  • Videos
  • Testimonials
    • Diesel's Behaviour Change Video
    • Dancer's Nail Clipping Video
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Links

Christmas, Angels, Crackers and Kindness

27/12/2016

9 Comments

 
It wasn’t a conscious decision to tread a heavy path winding up to Christmas Day. A dark cloud drifted menacingly to and fro, intermittently dampening the rays of joyful anticipation as Christmas Day approached. Not constant. Just a dim, persistent recollection of so many Christmases past dimming the light. I didn’t pay it much heed. I understood its genesis in the deep rooted power of emotional memory fuelled by fatigue and stress. It would soon pass.
I reminded myself of happy Christmas events in an attempt to scatter the impending clouds.
 
There’s a ray of sunshine that never dims. A silky, furred angel who warms my heart and widens my smile. Daily. Enough to drive any cloud away.
 
And so it was on Christmas Day, my angel and I celebrated Christmas together – chauffeured and welcomed to festivities in a house that delegates dogs to the outdoors. Special dispensation was given for my angel with paws to stay inside.
 
That was the first kindness.
 
Like all good angels secretly walking among us, mine understood the enormity of the exception made on her behalf and quietly surveyed celebrations from her bed or unobtrusively mingled around guests. Except the turkey! She investigated to within a millimetre but, thankfully, resisted the earthly drive of the body she inhabited to taste or devour it.
Picture
Then my angel revealed her fallibility. The sound of Christmas crackers exploded one after the other like gunshots. She left her bed to seek solace at the dining table between me and the man of the house. I tried to guide her to my side but she stayed firmly wedged between us. He paused from eating, looked down and discouraged my attempts to remove her. She promptly lay her head on his lap. One hand left its task of negotiating a plate of food to rest gently on her neck while his remaining hand now did the job of two.
 
“It’s OK. She’s scared of the crackers. I can feel her flinch at the sound.”
 
And that’s where she stayed, resting her head on the knees of a man who prefers dogs outdoors.
 
That was the second kindness.
 
A few minutes later, no more crackers to be heard, she felt comforted and returned to her bed for her own Christmas dinner.
 
I doubt if he realized the power of his actions. I wanted to explain to him how soothing it would have felt to Zuri. What it meant to me. How his quiet acceptance of her inside and then intruding on his space at the table was a reassuring hug. A message, “See? Christmas really is OK.” A dark cloud was dissipated completely by a kindness shown to my dog:  Because a kindness to my dog is also a kindness to me.


© Sonya Bevan 2016

 
Sonya Bevan is an avid dog lover with a Bachelor of Science degree in physiotherapy. This combination lead to seeking science based information on how to teach dogs and she commenced further study to complete a Diploma of Canine Behaviour Science and Technology. Dog training is both a science and an art. When based on solid principles of behavioural science, teaching also allows creativity when applied to each unique dog. Most of all, it should be fun for both participants and a way to bond with these special animals we love so much.

9 Comments
Heike BETTELL
28/12/2016 07:39:44 pm

Hi I liked your story about the Christmas crackers, I was waiting for the event and no one popped one until the end of dinner. I had prewarned my mother, I would be keeping an eye on the dogs and removing them and my self briefly if I needed to. Both dogs were in the dinning room sitting quietly and waiting with anticipation of a mocell from the Christmas dinner when the first cracker went off. My girl dropped her body, head and tail low, and froze. I left the table calling both dogs out side to toilet them and reassure them. We went back indoors but both dogs remained on the tiled area and would not set foot on to the carpet in the dinning room or enter the area for the remainder of the night. We went into the family room and every thing was right with the world. Lady has attended shows and busy buildings and not given it a second thought, but has never liked leaver arch files open and closing or Christmas crackers.

Reply
Sonya Bevan link
28/12/2016 07:48:55 pm

Hi Heike,
I'm glad you liked my Christmas blog. Your description of how the dogs wouldn't enter the dining room but were OK in the family room is a very interesting observation. Dog's often associate other things in the environment with a scary event. So if crackers go off in a room, that room becomes associated with the scary event and no longer safe to enter. But another room is OK because it doesn't have that association.

Reply
carp blue bucket link
24/10/2023 06:32:32 pm

Adding a touch of boho chic to your outfit they are spacious and versatile, making them suitable for everyday use. Whether you prefer a leather or canvas bucket bag, they provide a comfortable and fashionable way to carry your essentials.

Reply
www.istrabook.com/de/ link
24/10/2023 06:37:55 pm

Genießen Sie abends ein Glas Champagner am Pool und genießen Sie die bezaubernde Atmosphäre Ihres ganz privaten Rückzugsortes. Einer der attraktivsten Aspekte einer Poolvilla ist das Gefühl der Abgeschiedenheit, das sie bietet.

Reply
what type of technology link
24/10/2023 06:51:25 pm

Technology is reshaping agriculture as the global population continues to grow, AgTech will play a crucial role in ensuring food security and sustainable agricultural practices. Communication technology facilitates the transmission of information across distances.

Reply
can a man take women's vitamins link
24/10/2023 07:00:30 pm

Harness the power of social media platforms to share information, tips, and personal experiences related to sun exposure in winters. Such platforms can serve as a community of mutual encouragement and an information exchange.

Reply
negotiation skills books link
24/10/2023 07:09:10 pm

Growing value in the modern world businesses that embrace digital transformation and invest in technology to streamline operations and enhance customer experiences often gain a competitive edge.

Reply
Personalized Jewelry link
24/10/2023 07:18:25 pm

Supporting these artisans not only ensures you have unique pieces but also helps local economies thrive. Quality is non-negotiable, even with affordable jewelry. Many brands prioritize craftsmanship and materials.

Reply
thothube link
19/8/2024 02:50:08 pm

Technology is reshaping agriculture as the global population continues to grow,

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    RSS Feed

    Author

    Sonya Bevan is an avid dog lover with a Bachelor of Science degree in physiotherapy. This combination lead to seeking science based information on how to teach dogs and she commenced further study to complete a Diploma of Canine Behaviour Science and Technology. Dog training is both a science and an art. When based on solid principles of behavioural science,  teaching also allows creativity when applied to each unique dog. Most of all, it should be fun for both participants and a way to bond with these special animals we love so much.

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    June 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2017
    May 2017
    December 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013

    Categories

    All
    Behaviour Change
    Dog Behaviour
    Dog Body Language
    Dog Etiquette
    Dogs And Us
    Dog Training
    Ethics & Dogs
    Husbandry
    Introducing Dogs To New Experiences
    Puppies
    Scout The Assistance Puppy
    Turbo The Foster Greyhound

Proudly powered by Weebly