Welcome!
Pharaoh – just being a dog!
Dogs live in the present – they just are! Dogs make the best of each moment uncluttered by the sorts of complex fears and feelings that we humans have. They don’t judge, they simply take the world around them at face value. Yet they have been part of man’s world for an unimaginable time, at least 30,000 years. That makes the domesticated dog the longest animal companion to man, by far!
As man’s companion, protector and helper, history suggests that dogs were critically important in man achieving success as a hunter-gatherer. Dogs ‘teaching’ man to be so successful a hunter enabled evolution, some 20,000 years later, to farming, thence the long journey to modern man. But in the last, say 100 years, that farming spirit has become corrupted to the point where we see the planet’s plant and mineral resources as infinite. Mankind is close to the edge of extinction, literally and spiritually.
Dogs know better, much better! Time again for man to learn from dogs!
Welcome to Learning from Dogs
Paul Handover
Feeling a whole lot better! Collins English Dictionary hasn’t heard of “integrous” either!
Am fostering a rescue dog (SBT x Bulldog) at the moment and now have a sneaking suspicion that this particular dog does have “hidden agendas”. For instance the way he sidles up to you ostensibly for cuddles; next you know he’s got you in a half-nelson as it were. Only marginally funny.
Fred R
July 16, 2009 at 14:18
Well it didn’t take long to be rumbled on the use of ‘integrous’.
But it is used so frequently and so often by David Hawkins (see Blog Roll link) that I’m going to stick with it.
Fabulous to know that you are a dog fosterer. We have 14 at present here in Mexico, 13 of which were either rescued or dumped outside the house. Some of them do end up finding homes in the US.
Paul Handover
July 16, 2009 at 15:44
How very true about dogs. I will never be without!
Also, they are great listeners.
Tricia L
July 16, 2009 at 14:36
Dogs are my favorite people
Cynthia
July 16, 2009 at 21:47
I agree!
RiverUnderWater
October 27, 2011 at 00:08
Thanks for your comment and for stopping by Learning from Dogs. Feel free to contribute to anything you see published, Paul
Paul Handover
October 27, 2011 at 16:13
Thanks for posting about this, I would love to read more about this topic.
Joan Parker
July 24, 2009 at 02:33
“The more I get to know people the more I love my dog ….”
Anon?!
Chris Snuggs
October 27, 2009 at 08:48
Dogs Rule
dogkisses
December 31, 2010 at 06:42
Hi, I had to stop by because your sweet dog looks so much like mine.
Happy New Year to you and your sweet 4-legged!
dogkisses
December 31, 2010 at 06:41
Thank you so much, DK. Just called by your own Blog and have subscribed – some great writings there!! Happy New Year!
Paul Handover
December 31, 2010 at 10:14
[...] the Home page, or Welcome page, of this Blog is in need of some revising so when you see it change over the next few days [...]
Housekeeping. « Learning from Dogs
January 5, 2011 at 00:08
It’s so true about dogs living in the moment and being non-judgemental. I learned a lot about life through my furry kids. Maybe if people would learn to live like a dog — this world would be a better place.
Emily Gooch
February 24, 2011 at 07:10
Emily, Thanks for your comment and welcome to the Blog. Great to ‘meet’ you. Love your Blog as well – feel free to contribute a guest Post to Learning from Dogs. Paul.
Paul Handover
February 24, 2011 at 16:22
YEH, THAT’S TRUE ABOUT DOGS. I’VE LEARNT FAITH FROM MY DOG.
MARSHALL IAZE
March 31, 2011 at 21:13
Marshall, for some reason missed your visit to this Blog in March. So a belated ‘thank you’ for passing by. Paul.
Paul Handover
July 16, 2011 at 07:20
Dear Paul,
I’m writing to ask if you will say a prayer for my son. I didn’t know how to email you. I know you go to church and told me once you said a prayer. Please pray for my son. He is very sick and I am very scared.
Thank you Paul.
Michelle.
dogkisses
July 16, 2011 at 05:30
Michelle, of course. But can you send me an email so that I may privately know a little more about your son so when prayers are offered tomorrow morning there is a real sense of connection. Email me at paulhandover (at) gmail (dot) com
Paul Handover
July 16, 2011 at 07:18
I’ve been hanging out with dogs for most of my 50+ years. I learn something new almost every day. (From mine, as well as from the dog’s of others). It is mind numbing to see the amount of people who pay little or no attention to their dog’s and then wonder why the don’t mind them. My feeling is that most humans expect their pets to “read their mind” insteed of the reverse of that.
Iowa Dog Trust
October 9, 2011 at 09:21
Thank you for subscribing to Learning from Dogs, and for your comment above. Supporters of my meagre writings are so very much appreciated. As you will probably discover, if not already, I use the integrity, openness, love, and sustainability, that dogs offer the world as metaphors for mankind, indeed the whole concept of ‘learning from dogs’. Feel free to submit a guest post or contribute at any time, Paul.
Paul Handover
October 9, 2011 at 15:09
Thanks for this unique blog! The quality I love in a dog is loyalty. They are loyal to their masters and love them unconditionally. What a rare quality in humans!
Anon
October 28, 2011 at 10:27
Dogs are indeed wonderful creatures! Man’s most loyal friends.
Ganesh Iyer
October 28, 2011 at 21:24
My dogs have nominated you for an award. They love their daily dose of your blog.
http://subtlekate.wordpress.com/2011/12/30/awarded/
subtlekate
December 30, 2011 at 15:27
wonderuful post. we have a german shepherd also..
dianne - life as i see it
February 28, 2012 at 04:41
Just taken a peek at your own site, what fabulous photographs and thoughtful reflections. Recommend others to go there http://lakesidelane.wordpress.com/ So, Diane, thank you so much for your comment and do hope we will see you again, Paul
Paul Handover
February 28, 2012 at 08:28
Wow. I’m sorry I didn’t take the time to visit your blog earlier, Paul. What a beautiful sentiment and what a great variety of posts on such an important issue. There is so much wisdom in the world we simply ignore, whether staring back at us from the eyes of a dog, or in the philosophies of indigenous communities.
We are a part of nature in all its intricate delicacy and, as such, we depend upon it to survive. We cannot exploit it relentlessly and expect it to still sustain us. There is no point beyond nature for us to continue. Somehow, this idea has been lost and I fear, if we don’t find a way back to it soon, we will soon be lost with it.
Thank you for spreading this message. We need more people in the world who understand and who care.
Sherryn Groch
March 3, 2012 at 03:40
Sherryn, once again, I am delighted in the way that this funny old virtual world of Blogging brings like-minded people together across distances, across cultures and, yes, across age gaps! So a big welcome to Learning from Dogs, thanks so much for your comment and, last but not least, love your own writings across at http://totheendofhope.wordpress.com/
Especially where you write, “I believe in the power of ideas. During these defining times for our planet, I think it is the duty of any writer to spread a message of positive action and change – before we’re too late.”
Best wishes, Paul
Paul Handover
March 3, 2012 at 09:05
my sister had to put down her wonderful old dog today… dogs hold a special place in my heart.
David in Maine USA
enjoyed your post…
fivereflections
April 7, 2012 at 19:46
David, sorry for the delay in saying ‘Hello’ and thanks for calling by Learning from Dogs. The last 24 hours, as per http://learningfromdogs.com/2012/04/08/welcome-cleo/ have been a slight distraction! Anyway, good to make your acquaintance via the world of blogging and love your own website, by the way. Paul
Paul Handover
April 8, 2012 at 08:32
You don’t think, over 30,000 years, we’ve corrupted them too? But I couldn’t agree with you more on your assessment of the damage we’ve done to our planet. Here in Sri Lanka this morning, she’s crying – I guess we didn’t move the earth with our Earth Day promises. “What’s that love?”. “You want to go out to play?”. “Of course, whatever you want my love.” Maggie’s wish is my command, I’m the servant of my dog, and we have nothing but fun together, how to dwell on these morbid questions when there’s a ball to throw!
The Wanderlust Gene
April 22, 2012 at 19:53
Hey Paul. I’ve nominated you for the One Lovely Blog Award.
http://totheendofhope.wordpress.com/2012/05/20/7-things-you-probably-never-wanted-to-know-about-me/
After clicking the link copy the award picture and directions into a post, write seven things about yourself, select ten blogs that you would like to nominate and link them in the same post.
Hope to keep reading more from you
Sherryn Groch
May 20, 2012 at 06:12
Sherryn, that sounds nice – big thank you. I’ll look at the URL later on today, Paul
Paul Handover
May 20, 2012 at 08:57