Self-taught dog behaviorist Cesar Millan, the popular “Dog Whisperer,” says that, while dogs can associate words with specific objects or actions, our energy often tells them what to do. Dogs understand the human emotion through the energy we convey. By the tone of our voice, regardless of the words we say, dogs will know whether we are angry, excited or happy.
In terms of hierarchal needs, according to Cesar’s Fulfillment Formula, dogs need exercise, discipline and affection, in that order. Exercise is good for the body, discipline is good for the mind and affection is good for the heart. Cesar says that exercise is needed to fulfill our dog’s physical instinct, thereby creating trust, which is the most important in any dog-master relationship. This formula strives not to make dogs trust, respect and love their masters but, rather, to make their masters trustworthy, respectable and loveable. Cesar also has some tips about walking our dogs. First, we must walk in front of them, so they can see us as the pack leader. Second, we must use a short dog leash to have more control. Third, we must allot enough time, ideally not less than 30 minutes, to walk our dogs. After all, just as fish need to swim, dogs need to walk.
My sister Ione Marie Mison-Voor developed and reinforced her love for dogs as she spent her teenage days in the United States. Names of her previous dogs include Audit (she is an accountant by profession) and Jollibee (her half-American children love Chickenjoy). Last New Year’s Eve, I appreciated how she took the time to accompany me to check on my dogs since they were “home alone” over the holiday break. Pressed for time since we still had to do some last-minute food shopping, Ione Marie insisted that we walk them. I can vividly remember that sunny afternoon where I can only surmise that my dogs, Blue, Bucky and Bonggo appreciated that walk together with my sister.
Ione Marie considers walking her mutt Chester as her best form of exercise and, at the same time, therapeutic, as it cleanses her mind and allows her body to connect to her soul. She says, “Walking with someone is even better.” Ione
Marie sees Chester’s high energy level during walks as contagious. I feel the same way too; I am energized whenever I see my dogs excited during our walks together. According to Cesar, energy is the primary channel of communication for dogs. While walking, Chester’s enthusiasm gives my sister the energy to tackle the challenges of a working mother raising four children in the US. Ione Marie now works as the Manager of Parish Business Services and supports the parishes and schools in the Diocese with their financial records and internal controls. She remains to be a very devout Catholic, together with her husband Tom. Ione Marie always allots enough time to walk Chester, in the same way she allots time to walk with God by thanking Him in everything.
Like how we should walk our dogs using Cesar’s tips, God also appears to be in front in our walk with Him through priests and pastors to the extent that we see these pious persons as our pack leaders. But for Ione Marie, she walks beside Chester and not behind him. Quoting Saint Patrick—“Christ beside me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,” Ione reminded me that God is present from all angles.
And, unlike how we should walk our dogs, God does not use a short dog leash to have more control over us. He gifted us with free will such that we have a choice whether or not to follow Him.
Both Cesar and Ione Marie advise dog owners to allot enough time to walk our dogs. In our walk with God, there is no such time limit. My pastors Niels and Gary always tell me to talk to God about anything and everything at home, at work, while exercising, while driving, while doing the most mundane activity every day. In the Bible, Colossians 3:17 tells us, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him”. Best-selling author Charles Stanley says, “We can be tired, weary and emotionally distraught, but after spending time alone with God, we find that He injects into our bodies energy, power and strength.”
Over time, I have been receiving positive energy from spending time with Him in the same way I hope my dogs, Blue, Bucky and Bonggo (no, plus Bailey) appreciate the energy they get from spending time with me. The unquantifiable energy we give and receive by walking our dogs should be enough to quench our thirst in life. My dogs always seem contented whenever we walk together. In our walk with Him, we should feel the same. In the Bible, Hebrews 13:5 tells us, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
A dog will leave us only in death and is truly man’s best friend. But for God, even in death, He will never abandon us and, in truth, He is more than a best friend.