The Neurotic Dogs
?>
Download eBooks and Software
 Peoplesearchaffiliates.com: #1 For Over 2 Years
Make Money Today! Most Lucrative People Search Products On CB For 2+ Years In Reverse Phone - Email Search - Vital Records - Family History. All New Aff Area W/ppc Landing Pages, Keyword Lists, Seo Tools, & More At www.peoplesearchaffiliates.com
Self-esteem Elevation For Children Coaching Certification
From Renowned Life-optimization Coach Joe Rubino: High-ticket Product With Proven Copy Perfect For Any Niche That Relates To Children, Parenting, And Family. Certification Teaches How To Make A Profound Impact On The Happiness And Future Of Children.
Urban Survival:survive Any Disaster Without Leaving Home
Urban Survival: Easy Shortcuts To Prepare Your Family For Surviving Disasters Without Leaving The City
Articles > FamilyThe Neurotic Dogs
by: Eric Shapiro
When pondering whether my neurosis is learned or genetic, I often turn to the family dogs, Frazier (9) and Jake (4), and see the likelihood of a learned origin. My parents' characteristic anxiety has effectively seeped into both dogs' personas.
My mother and father are both card-carrying neurotics with drastically different sensibilities. The former engages in an overt style of panic characterized by covering her eyes when our car seems close to hitting another car that's three hundred yards down the road. The latter is more of a concealer; I would cite one of his quirks in this sentence, but the ensuing disownment would be harsh.
Frazier, a beige mix of Bichon and Poodle, arrived in our home when I was in the ninth grade. For the first few months, he struck us as an emotionally balanced individual, but it wasn't long before the wide, glassy eyes and quivering lower lip set in. Like his human siblings before him, he experienced separation anxiety in the absence of his parents. Unlike his human siblings, Frazier saw it fit to pace around the unoccupied house for hours, howling to the ceiling and holding his paw against his beating heart. Such behavior, though unquestionably neurotic, was at least grounded in recognizable childhood symptomology. It wasn't until the arrival of Jake, during Frazier's fifth year, that Frazier experienced a full-fledged nervous breakdown.
Given the instability of Frazier's ego, the appearance of Jake--an energetic full-blooded poodle with black hair and a trim gray beard--was emotionally catastrophic. When he wasn't lying on his stomach leering into the abyss, Frazier went as far as to commit acts of physical violence upon his younger brother. We knew not to be fooled by the innocent look in Frazier's eye when his leash somehow ended up around Jake's neck.
Jake, who entered our home as somewhat of a free spirit, was oblivious to Frazier's brooding melancholy. He ran and played with the best of them. He developed a flourishing social identity among the locals. However, it wasn't long before the torch of neurosis was passed onto Jake. From whose hands or paws the torch came is difficult to determine, but genetic theories strike me as inadmissible.
Jake's inaugural phobia was a fear of vacuum cleaners. We have various vacuums in our home, and Jake's fear of each is proportional to its size and volume. When the biggest vacuum is about to be used, Jake requires an explicit and descriptive monologue preparing him for what is to come. The monologue is best performed with the speaker's hand firmly applied to the top of Jake's head. We've found that with the aid of such verbal reassurances, Jake's anxiety in the presence of the vacuum cleaners has decreased by 3 or 4 percent.
By now, we're pleased to announce that Frazier has overcome his initial aversion to Jake. Not only do they dine together frequently, but they've also come to display the sincerest form of love in our family: they worry about one another. When Jake's out jogging in the backyard and Frazier's sobbing from the window, his tears run rich with affection.
About The Author
Eric Shapiro is the author of "Short of a Picnic," a collection of fictional stories about people living with mental disorders.
shortofapicnic@aol.com
|
?>
News on Family
Jaunt.ca and SavvyMom.ca Partner to Launch Jaunt Family
Jaunt Family offers carefully curated family getaways that will create lasting memories for Canadian familiesTORONTO, May 24, 2012 /CNW/ - Jaunt.ca and SavvyMom Media (SavvyMom.ca) announce the launch ... Some England family members skip Euros over racism
Some family members of England's black players will avoid traveling to the European Championship because of fears of racist abuse and violence. England star's family snub Euros over racism fears
England star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's family have become the latest to decide against supporting their son at Euro 2012, amid fears about racism in tournament co-hosts Ukraine. England family members skip Euros over racism
LONDON (AP) -- Some family members of England's black players will avoid traveling to the European Championship because of fears of racist abuse and violence. Family Child Care Course by CCEI Provides General Training for Family Care Providers
DULUTH, Ga., May 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI), an IACET approved, nationally accredited, online training institution dedicated exclusively to the child care and education ...
|
