I have a malamute named Kusik. He is my dog; I chose him a long time ago (perhaps somewhat impulsively), and I have never regretted my decision. Now, he is over 12 years old.
And I still wonder: is it true that dogs, like children, adopt the character of their owners?
We go for walks often. Sometimes, a small but very aggressive (and probably very dangerous) dog runs up to us and starts barking loudly at Kusik. Kusik, as a rule, does not react at all. If the little dog starts jumping on him or causing inconvenience, the first thing he does is simply push it away with his paw, usually without even growling.
Who did Kusik learn this from? Or, on the contrary, is my behavior in recent years a result of Kusik’s influence on me?
That’s the kind of symbiosis we have.
Sometimes I feel like we are one. Kusik senses my mood without words. If I am tired or worried, he simply lies down next to me, silently, without demanding attention, as if to say, “I’m here.” And if I’m in a good mood, he runs up, wags his tail happily, and invites me to play. We understand each other without words, without commands, just on some deep level.
They say dogs reflect their owners’ personalities. But what if it’s the other way around? I have learned a lot from Kusik over the years. To stay calm. To ignore provocations that are not worth my attention. To have inner strength that does not require aggression. Perhaps, thanks to him, I have become the person I am today.
And Kusik also reminds me to enjoy the simple things. A walk in the rain. A good meal. The warm sun on my skin. A quiet moment where everything is just fine.
Dogs are like their owners. Or is it the other way around?
