My dog the paradox:

My wife and I found a year-old great pyrenees tied to a treat on our property, abandoned. We decided to keep the dog for two weeks to see if the owners would come back. They never did.

My wife never understood the meaningfulness of a four legged barking fur person. She wasn't allowed to have pets in her house growing up in China. The bond between them was almost as instant as the bond between the dog and me.

As such, I became the alpha and the dog views the wife as the one she has to completely protect at all times. Trust me when I say this dog has been the HARDEST dog to train in my life due to their stubborn, independent streak.

I know when I look in my Belle's eyes she will give her life to protect us. That's what a Great Pyrenees was bred for: protection, watching, but so gentle and made of velcro. We can't go to the bathroom without Belle pushing the door open to see if everything is okay.

And protective. . .ugh! She protects us from passing motorcycles, squirrels, leaves blowing in the wind, passing air molecules, nothing in particular, with a loud and window shattering bark.

I finally found this again. It's from 2013. The inspiration of this book died in 2021 and the author writes about it in a post script. Now that she has her dog (who she spoils beyond spoils), my wife finally understands why a dog is not a pet but a member of the family. She know understands why Americans view our dogs as the four legged barking fur people I call Belle all day every day.

Enjoy this short book. . .and if it relates to you and your dog, please comment.

https://theoatmeal.com/comics/dog_paradox