How The Show 1883 Changed How I Look At My Dog

• Posted on 4 March 2024
• By Cori
• 2

When I started working with dogs, one thing I didn’t think about was how many dogs I would have to say good bye to. We get to know our clients dogs VERY well. Some we see grow up from puppy hood, and when you’ve been doing this as long as I have, you also see them age, start to slow down until one day we learn that “something” isn’t right. And then the worst happens. We get that dreaded call. The owners are beside themselves with grief. It’s heart breaking.

For some people, they know that other than their immediate family, over the years, we have spent the most time with their dog and would want to know what has happened. We can all grieve together and reminisce about happier times. Tears are shed. Other dog owners have never gone through anything like this so ask for advice or just want someone to talk to that can understand their sadness at their loss.

Over the years, hearing so many sad stories, it’s hard not to think of my own dogs. I have loved and lost 5 of my own dogs, and felt that pain acutely. (See pic of me and Edge our beloved GSD, who passed 9 years ago.)This is where 1883 comes in. There’s a scene near then end of the show (spoiler alert) where the daughter is very sick and she catches her father just staring at her. She says “You’re looking at me like I’m already dead!”

Woah!! Pause!

I do that too!! Even though JD is a healthy robust boy, sometimes it’s like I’m just waiting for the inevitable to happen. I look at him and think he’s got something wrong with him because I heard of some other dog having it or I just imagine the absolute worst happening! And then I get very sad. Why do I do this?! It’s like a form of torture! Self torture!

If you’ve watched the show you know that the narrator is a free bird, she lives totally in the moment-just like dogs do. And that’s the answer!! When I take the time to watch JD, and be completely in the moment with him, there’s no room for that feeling of despair. With his funny antics and zest for life he reminds me daily, hourly, that I am worrying about things that haven’t happened. I lose the time I have with him now by worrying about things that most likely will never happen.

No one wants to talk about this, but it’s the circle of life. What a gift dogs are, to be able to live (and love) so fully, and be 100% present all the time. This is the magic of dogs and what they can teach us. This is why we love them so much and this is why it hurts so damn much when they leave us. We have so much to learn from them.

So go hug your dog and then have a really good play, (or just see the joy on their eyes when you open a cheese wrapper lol) and I bet you’ll feel better!