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Executive Director’s Desk (continued)
• They’re as smart as a toddler. Dogs learn very quickly and they’re usually not easily fooled. Research indicates that many dogs have the intelligence and understanding on par with a two year old toddler (I agree wholeheartedly).
• There’s more to tail-wagging than meets the eye. It’s widely ac- cepted that a wagging tail means a dog is happy. However, this is only true when the tail is being wagged to the right. If it’s wagging to the left, it’s an indication of fear. Low tail wags mean nervous- ness, and rapid tail wags mixed with tense muscles can be a sign of aggression.
• Dogs experience jealousy. They have emotions just as people do. While they obviously experience basic emotions like happi- ness, fear, and sadness, studies show that dogs also experience jealously.
And that I can easily relate to! If I as much as hug another per- son or show five seconds of attention to another dog, my overtly jealous Zoey immediately begins to jump on me. If ignored, she
will let out a pretty loud bark. She pauses between each bark and continues until I pick her up. Zoey likes to just “hang out” over my left shoulder where she sometimes stays for what seems like an endless amount of time. And yes, I love it.
Zoey is magical at making my heart smile and her effortless ability to raise my spirits helps reduce stress and the occasional blues that can accompany daily life. I look forward to many more years of enjoying my 10 pound bundle of unconditional love while she helps me stay healthy in mind, body, and spirit.
“A dog doesn’t care if you are rich or poor, educated or illiterate, clever or dull. Give him your heart and he will give you his.” John Grogan, Marley and Me
HCMA BULLETIN, Vol 65, No. 3 – September/October 2019
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