Meet Our Dogs
(Select from the links below or click on the photos to visit each of our dogs' pages)
Living Together 2008
January 17, 2008
At this writing I have been living with the Bergamasco’s for approx. 13 years.
I don’t know them by any other name than Bergamasco Sheepdog and to extend to them their just due and regal standing, I really don’t know them by any other name than Pastore de Bergamasco.
Each that I live with is absolutely my best friend, each that I support in any way that I can, emotionally and as endearing as I am able at the time, because I do need to spread myself around, with eleven you have no other choice. The elder’s allow me much grace in taking care of their needs, even though they probably need more attention than ever before to tend to their aging psyche and physiologically state.
They allow the youth indiscretions that the elders themselves never even asked for in their prime time, realizing that today’s generation has more ,therefore needs more, wants more and is more egocentric, at the moment, knowing that they will grow into a true classic unspoiled being. ( A Pastore Bergamasco)
The Elders know that I am there and asks me for what each one deems necessary to maintain our strong impenetrable coexistence. That corner of the bed next to you is mine, Clothos went out with you earlier, I want to go out with you this afternoon, The bread & cheese you are eating, I don’t want, but the procueti is mine, when you have dinner, I would like to be given some of yours first. (My fault, I share with all.)
All talk to me in so many ways, if you don’t hear them then you are absolutely deaf, people want to know how we know who is walking into our room, we can tell by the patter of their feet, their bark, their whimper, their sigh, their snoring, their rate of breathing, their motion, their emotions!
That is only the beginning of our communication, I usually tell people that if you allow the relationship and aren’t afraid you will become closer to the Bergamasco than you will become to your wife or your children.
The Bergamasco will commit if you are inhuman enough to maintain a commitment to something other than yourself.
No they aren’t dumb enough to give to you selflessly, nor are they as needy as a human, but they will allow you to get next to them, if they feel you are worthy and deserve the commitment.
Yes, I believe that they can be a lot like what you would like most people in your live to be, but find out sooner or later, due to your actions or theirs the bond of trust or equality is broken or was never really there.
Most people constantly ask about the Bergamasco, what can they do for me, is the hair hard to maintain, are they friendly, will they get along with my children, will they smell, will they get along with my cats, will I be allergic to them.
Technically the question is not what the Bergamasco can do for you, but how can we cohabitate and co-exist together, within a mutually beneficial relationship that can enhance and enrich our everyday lives together.
