I definitely understand what you're talking about and I think it's great that the show ring is encouraging dogs to be dogs and not little human babies and everything that comes along with that..
I see Teddy as a sentient being with his specie-specific needs, thoughts and feelings. In reality, I view him as an individual and I do not try to make him be the son I never had, for example. He is a male, grown DOG which means he wants to bark, play in the grass, lift his leg (indoors and outdoors!), smell like a dog (smell others as if they were dogs), etc. I think we do animals an extreme injustice when we try to reduce them to our wants, desires, mannerisms etc by projecting all of our humanity onto them.
I love my little Sir Rupert Teddykins just as much as I love humans. So, yeah, I get what the woman was saying. Good for her and good for you for taking her advice as it was intended. Good luck in future shows! |