patches:) the "loyal" dog ??

right from the time i can remember dogs have always captivated me,motivated me,i adored dogs. not breed specific but the word dog makes my heart melt:) people identify me as a dog person .and i have always been proud of it. when my little pom breed patches died,i was 10.not wanting to go through the emotional trauma of losing a pet again my parents said no to a new dog.but they had to give in to my pestering that they grudgingly( though secretly happy) brought home the latest addition in our family.a great dane pup..hardly 2 months old and clumsy with a pot belly filled with meat the poor fellow came inside trembling.my first reaction was disappointment.is that a dog really i asked ,much to the amusement of my dad,i poured over every book i could lay my hands on to know about greatdanes so that my pup got the best.then came the task of naming him.so many options..major, dushew, timmy, suddenly i noticed this little fella had white patches on his chest and paws.,,,exactly like the older patches.and voila,the new patches had come.sometimes i think its my old patches again come to us.silly or not,patches was again in the family and we were happy. the clumsy fella grew alarminly into a strong graceful gentle benevolent dog that he is now. ubt his face still holds the prankster rougish look it held when he was a pup.i know dogs are loyal and could be taught discipline, i wonder if he disciplined me or i disciplined him. my patches is the most gentlest being on earth that even when the next door street dog bites him he wags his tail.even when i most irritatingly wake him up from his slumber doesnt even growl but simply moves to a new place. some people break down when angry ..some break whatevers around them..being the latter i felt shame seeing patches. and i mellowed down. i grew to be patient caring understanding..is he here to teach me this i wonder. i am in awe as he has so much to offer and is so humble.there are loads that people have to learn from pets and i believe it now.. i read an article that said to live a happy life lead you life like a dog.. *even when scolded bound back with joy *bond with your pack *occassionally pamper yourself *be fit and walk lots *do something silly to laugh and make others laugh i cant remember reading something true as this.and looking at patches i wont say its a bad idea:)