1/9/03
What Is Your Dog's Number?
The dog was telling Mr. Seamus how unhappy he was. He was number #1 in his family. No one
ever spent time with him. He didn't know how to behave around other people or other dogs. He
controlled who came into the home and when. The family put him in the cellar when company
came to visit.
ever spent time with him. He didn't know how to behave around other people or other dogs. He
controlled who came into the home and when. The family put him in the cellar when company
came to visit.
During the day, when everyone was off to work, his number #1 job was to destroy the house and
get into the trash. He growled and snapped when they asked him to get off the couch or do
something.
get into the trash. He growled and snapped when they asked him to get off the couch or do
something.
His Mom and Dad loved him very much, but that was hard to believe. They wanted to breed
him; so he could make them some money only because he looked good and was number #1.
They said that someday they were going to take him for obedience training, when they had time.
him; so he could make them some money only because he looked good and was number #1.
They said that someday they were going to take him for obedience training, when they had time.
Mr. Seamus bowed his head in silence thinking to himself, I know what happens to dogs that are
number #1.
number #1.
Mr. Seamus tried to explain. In my house I'm number #4 and I love it! I have many earned
privileges. We have respect for each other. Because of this people and other dogs usually love
to visit with me. My good behaviors and manners get me out and into the community. I have a
place. I know my place. In my family, Mom is number #1, Dad is number #2, Bubba is number
#3, I'm number #4, Braille is number #5 and Hobbs the cat is number #6. I wouldn't trade that
number for the world. It has structure and meaning for my life.
privileges. We have respect for each other. Because of this people and other dogs usually love
to visit with me. My good behaviors and manners get me out and into the community. I have a
place. I know my place. In my family, Mom is number #1, Dad is number #2, Bubba is number
#3, I'm number #4, Braille is number #5 and Hobbs the cat is number #6. I wouldn't trade that
number for the world. It has structure and meaning for my life.
Days and months have passed since this conversation occurred. Our walks past this home are
empty, top dog he is no more. Sadly we learned he was put to sleep because of his being number
#1, which created a dangerous situation for his family by repeatly biting each family member.
empty, top dog he is no more. Sadly we learned he was put to sleep because of his being number
#1, which created a dangerous situation for his family by repeatly biting each family member.
Dogs are pack members and look for YOU to be the number #1 in the hierarchy rank. They can
only exist and flouish by your leadership role to insure their safety and survival.
only exist and flouish by your leadership role to insure their safety and survival.
In this case, his family chose to make him number #1 by thinking he would fit into the family with
no further social structure or leadership.
no further social structure or leadership.
Think about your own family structure. What is your dog's number? In our hearts, they will
always be number #1. In their eyes, we must always remain number #1.
always be number #1. In their eyes, we must always remain number #1.
We know each year many dogs go to the Rainbow Bridge just for this reason alone. What will
you do different for your dog/s?
you do different for your dog/s?
Hugs,
Mr. Seamus, SCBR Official Senior Mascot
Approaching the mature age of 12 years
Approaching the mature age of 12 years
One day, Mr. Seamus was having a conversation with a young dog. Each of these dogs has a
family consisting of a Mom, Dad, and two adult children, living outside the home.
family consisting of a Mom, Dad, and two adult children, living outside the home.