Companion  Dogs
                                           (Page Five)
 

          Canine Paranoia
                                aka
      ( Homo Sapien Insanity )

     There is a problem in our society with people who are concerned about political correctness , especially with regard to the notion that people who have Companion Dogs should not be offended by their actions toward our dogs .
While , on the other hand , they demand the right to be offended by the mere presennce of our Companion Dogs .
None of us have the right not to be offended , but we do have the right not to be Harrassed , Bulllied ,
Borow beaten , or made to feel Inferior , simply because we wish to have a Companion Dog .

  In the last quarter century there has been an epidemic of
( what I call ) Canine Paranoia , or possibly a better name would be Homo Sapien
Insanity .
It definately is an epidemic , because it started out with only a few people and has now spread to about thirty percent of the population of  Metropolitan Toronto .
It is definately  Paranoia , because we are not talking about childhood fears here .
Many of these people are adults .
They see small children talking to , petting , and hugging a dog .  Nevertheless , they "Act" afraid of that same dog .
A person who has a "Real" fear of dogs will not put on a performance ; Dance around , flailing their arms and make as much noise as they can .
People who are genuinely afraid of dogs  will move away quietly or stand still and quiet and watch the dog .
These Parinoid people actually "teach" their children , and other children , to fear dogs , which in itself can be an extremely dangerious act .
Children must be taught to "Respect" dogs , Not "Fear" dogs .

   It is said that people who really understand animals --- their body language and the way in which they express their emotions , needs and intentions --- are able to "Talk" to them .
The importance of such understanding is eloquently expressed by Canadian Aboriginal  Chief Dan George :

                      If you talk to the animals
                            they will talk to you
                            and you will know each other
                        If you do not talk to them
                             you will not know them .
                          And what you do not know
                                 you will fear .
                           What one fears
                                  one destroys .

     Hense , it is important for animals that people understand and respect them .
and indeed talk to them , otherwise people will continue to be indifferent toward  them and even afraid .
What one loves and understands one will not mistreat or destry .

    Many small children will tease dogs that are teathered or behind a fence , but will "Run" away from the dog , even when it is on a leash and under the control of it's master .
People must realize that Canadians consider dogs as Serrogate Children .

    Through knowledge and understanding of dogs and talking to them people will gain confidence in themselves and the dog(s)which will help to eradicate much of the fear that they have of dogs .
However , because of this contagious disease ( parionia ) people have contracted another very contagious desease , apathy .
The combination of these two diseases , in many cases , causes TunnelVision , where people only see the negative things about dogs .
e.g. , people see a dog wearing a Halter and assume that the dog is vicious and that it is wearing a muzzle .
They only see what they have been indoctrinated to see.
They view most dogs as Mean , Vicious Beasts .
If they would simply Talk to dogs , get to know them and understand them There would be far less problems .

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