Every Animal Has Its Quirks
Every Animal Has Its Quirks
Pull up a chair and sit awhile
October 26, 2026
Dear Friend:
Every animal has its quirks, just like humans.
My downstairs neighbor has a tiny dog. Every time she takes the dog outside, he or she barks. I'm not sure why. I don't mind at all. It's just a funny little one.
I don't mind when a dog barks. They're alerting us that something is happening. They make a good doorbell when someone approaches the house, and sometimes they're a very good alarm system.
At one point in my life, I had a dog and a cat. They were very close and very protective of each other. You did not want to hurt that cat, or vice versa. They were both very sweet and loving.
They even slept together. The dog would stretch out on her side, and the cat would curl up against her between her front and back legs. They were quite a pair.
I also remember a particular Thanksgiving meal I hosted. The cat was kind enough to steal some of the turkey and share it with the dog. Apparently, he believed in sharing the holiday meal, too!
The funny thing was that when I answered the doorbell, the dog would stand behind the cat. The cat was the one out in front, growling and hissing at the person at the door. All six or seven pounds of him!
One of my friends had two Rottweilers. They were very sweet, too. When I went to my friend's house, we would take the dogs for a walk. Whenever someone approached us, the male would stand in front of me in a protective stance. He was my protector.
The female was the alpha. They had “mixed it up” a few times, and she came out the victor.
It is amazing how animals can sometimes seem to emulate human behavior. I'm not sure if it's deliberate or just a coincidence. This is what I do know: animals bring a lot of joy to our lives. And they bring joy to other people's lives as well.
My downstairs neighbor's dog makes me smile whenever I hear him or her bark. I have the privilege of living in a building where quite a few dogs also live. I get to interact with them as I come and go. I enjoy those visits, petting them and talking to them
God gives us many gifts in this life. We just need to know where to look and appreciate those gifts.
Until next time, stay well, stay safe, and stay connected to those you love.
Be well,
Emma
Emma is the voice behind Sharing with Seniors, where every story starts with a memory. Through stories of family, friendships, music, traditions, hometowns, and life's simple pleasures, she invites readers to pull up a chair, stay awhile, and remember the moments that have shaped their lives.