My Dog

By Catrin, Community Connector (written by Anna )

My dog is a Welsh Border Collie, known for being ‘keen, loyal, tenacious, intelligent and energetic’. Or, as any collie owner will agree, a wee bit nuts. Taz was a rescue originally named Flossie, but after bringing her home we quickly likened her to the Tasmanian devil, and the name Taz stuck.

She brings me joy and happiness, and has formed a deep connection with our family. She’s so intelligent that she likes to invent little games, like finding a pair of pants or socks and dangling them from the top of the stairwell when we are watching TV, to drop them on our heads on the sofa below, to catch our attention. She’s as funny as a bug, and when she was a puppy, she used to hold insects in her mouth before spitting them out and watching them for a while for entertainment.

Airplanes are dragons in the sky to her. She’s picky about who she likes and where she’ll walk. Taz isn’t a fan of pavements and will play dead, so I have to drive her to her favourite walking spots. Her playful nature and affectionate demand for cuddles lift my spirits and can ease the weight of a hard day. Dogs have that ability, don't they? They seem to live fully present, unburdened by life planning, home management and everyday stress.

They have a special bond with us, drawing us in to their worlds of moment to moment sniffing, foraging, puddle bathing and rolling. I recently watched a large golden retriever make his way across the park in a series of rolls through muddy earth, he was absolutely filthy and delighted with himself! It’s heart warming to watch a happy dog playing in the park.

As well as dogs being a delight to watch and interact with (they are very often eager to please, especially if they can smell a treat in a coat pocket), dogs get us out and about, into green spaces, woodlands and beaches. Places we might not take ourselves as often, but a dog needs exercise, and any outdoors space is enhanced watching them frolic in fallen leaves and foamy waves, checking the "weemail" (usually exchanged at lampposts and park benches).

If you would like to see how a dog could bring you joy, but don’t have the time or space to commit to ownership, there are lots of opportunities to volunteer and enhance both your life and that of others in your community, including our four legged friends! You could try walking a dog through Borrow My Doggy. You could volunteer at a local rescue centre such as RSPCA, Blue Cross, The Dogs Trust or any independent rescues, look up your nearest one on the internet. Or you could volunteer to foster or walk a dog for someone who is elderly or ill through The Cinnamon Trust.