Road Dogs

 

Dogs, dogs, dogs-- many varieties, all with individual personalities and abilities, there are water dogs, working dogs, rescue dogs, herding dogs, circus dogs, hunting dogs, ship dogs, fire dogs, and now there are Road Dogs.

What is a Road Dog?  These are dogs that love travel and adventure, but most of all they love to ride.  You see them in cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs; they are a fearless breed with a roaming adventurous spirit with their noses to the wind.  Unafraid of modern technology, these dogs ride the pavement with their loyal companions down the block or across the country no matter the weather or season they’re always ready for a road trip.

My dogs are seasoned Road Dogs.  Meet Chili and Annie (pictured in this article), Chili, a male, reddish-brown Australian Shepherd mix and Annie, a female, black and silver Giant Schnauzer mix.  These luckily rescued dogs have a huge backyard to run, play and roll around, for the summer they have a big pool to swim in and a large deck, complete with lounge sofas, to sun and nap on, but they are always ready for a road trip.  From the minute I tell them to “get your lease,” they go into an excited frenzy, wanting to be the first one out the door.   Once in the car, it’s windows down and noses out, the wind on their face and the pavement rushing under our wheels.   On long road trips, like to Saint Louis, Florida and Ohio, they curl up on the seat and sleep until the next stop. After some food, water and a walk they joyously jump back into the car eager to continue on the journey to the next destination.  When we reach the final destination, it’s a curious look and smell of the new surroundings and then a well deserved sleep in bed until the next morning when they are ready for a new adventure.

Road Dogs have a special connection with their human companions—a sense of freedom, camaraderie, adventure, and a roaming spirit, embedded in a pact of trust, loyalty, and devotion   It’s the connection that transcends the centuries back to the beginning of man and dog

The bonding between dog and man can be traced back to ancient times in symbols and myth.  In ancient Egypt, mummified dogs were placed in the tomb of the dead for it was believed that the dog would lead the deceased to the afterworld.  To the Druids, the Dog a considered a loyal companion, friend in our journey’s in both this life and the next.  The Druids also believed that the Dog was the Guardian of the Mysteries —thus if we have good intentions, the Dog will guide us into the next life through the darkness and the waters of the Unconscious into the shimmering realm of Goddess.  So examples like these can be found in almost every time period and civilization-- a melding of man and animal into one being mirroring each other’s feelings and instincts that are often misunderstood by outsiders and non-dog lovers—this is the essence of Road Dogs.

Like their companions, the owners of Road Dogs are also special.  Their strong bond and inner connections equate into a shamanistic attachment, one that encompasses Mother Earth and nature in a spiritual sense with their furry companions as their guide and protector.  This connection of Road Dog and man is the bond continued from ancient times, traversed into our modern world by the vehicles of modern technology.

 

In summation, I have written a poem that defines these Road Dogs:

 They ride in trucks,

Convertibles,

 Even SUVs,

Curious eyes to sights and sounds—

Noses in the breeze

 

Road dogs every one of them,

No matter shape or size,

Wagging tails,

Joyous barks—

They just love to ride

Adventure is their nature,

No couch potatoes here,

Start the engine,

Hit the gas—

Road dogs have no fear

 

Rushing road beneath our wheels,

Faces to the wind,

Road dogs every one of them—

Together we’re akin