All visitors must pass the sniff test

 As I continue to write my blog, I am finding so many qualities to admire about my wonderful four legged creatures.  It is hard to choose which aspect I enjoy the most!  Perhaps my favorite thing about my dogs is their adept ability as people readers.  I must admit, oftentimes my dogs are far better than I at discerning two leggeds and their true nature.

Now of course I realize that all animals, not just my own, know and understand energy.  They have a great sense of people's energy, and seem to sense immediately whether a person is safe and worth getting to know.  I trust this in my dogs.  In fact, I have a sign outside my front door that says "All guests must be approved by the dogs".  Funny, but also true.

Recently I had a computer expert come to my home to work on my computer.  I had never met this guy, but a friend had seen his car with his advertisement and phone number painted on his car door and suggested I call him.  She gave me his number and I made an appointment with him.

He came to my house the following week.  The dogs, of course, barked ferociously and as he got out of his car.  I looked out to assess the situation and saw a mixture of an old military man (grey crew cut) and red neck (one hanging cross earring, tattoos and strange clothing).

I felt a bit nervous as I opened the front door, but the dogs liked him immediately.  They were wagging their tails before he even greeted them.  What did they know about this man that I didn’t?

This man and my dogs were ecstatic in meeting one another.  It was clear that he was a genuine dog lover, and he had such a warm smile.  I relaxed the minute I saw the dogs’ interactions with him.  I knew to trust their instinct.  Indeed, he turned out to be not only a fine computer expert, but a kind and pleasant man to have in my home.

While I write this, I can't help but wonder;  what if instead of searching for dates on "match.com" we instead consulted "sniff & sense.com"?  Imagine the possibilities.  You could meet your prospective date in a park with your dog.  If your dog doesn't like the date, find a reason to end the first date early and do not so much as consider a second date.  And if there is a second date,  ask your date to bring his/her own dog along to see how everyone gets along and also to witness how the date treats his/her own animal.  A special note of caution for those of you owning a ball-loving/ball-chasing Lab or Golden Retriever.  These dogs will likely love anyone (even a jerk) if the date shows any potential for a ball throwing opportunity.  Hmmmmm......

Just don't take my word for it, it is a scientific fact that animals sense energy fields of all beings.  The famous British Scientist Rupert Sheldrake has stated that animals can sense the morphogenetic field, or  huge energy field, around all living things.   His book Dogs That Know When Their Owners Are Coming Home explains dogs' natural and adept ability to sense human arrivals before they actually happen.  Often before we pull into our driveways, or just turn the corner to head home, our dogs sense we are coming home and get excited about our arrival.

I recently met a woman whose poodle always knew when her husband was just about to arrive home.  When her husband was a block away from the house, the dog would go to the front door and wait for him.  Night after night the wife witnessed this,  and finally mentioned it to her husband.  Much to her surprise, her husband also confirmed for her that he had witnessed the same actions from their dog.  When she was away from the house, her husband would  know she was close to home when  the dog would go to the front door to wait and wag his tail.  According to Sheldrake, this was possible due to the dog's sensing their master's morphogenetic field.

Getting back to dating, if you have cats, and your date is allergic to cats, stop right there!   Do not pass go!  Do not collect $200!  Simply look for another date.  Oddly, I tend to attract houseguests that are allergic to cats.  With eleven cats in my home, I end up doing a lot of cleaning and a lot of peacemaking with the cats, who are typically quarantined in the garage and in their indoor/outdoor fenced-in "kitty condo".   It's a good thing my houseguests who are allergic to cats have been in my life for many years, otherwise I would be giving them the number to the local Holiday Inn!

Our animal friends truly have a special gift, one from which we can all learn.  Looking for "the one" in 2012?  Listen to your animal friends!