An Extension of My Heart

[The following is adapted from an Instagram post I shared this morning.]

I initially began looking for a second dog back in 2020 because I needed some balance to Japhy’s male energy. Of course Hazel is so much more than just the Yin to Japhy’s Yang. She’s gone from being a helpless malnourished two-month-old puppy who couldn’t do anything without Japhy to being a sweet, sensitive, brave little five-year-old dog who still doesn’t like to be without her Japhy-Boo (or me), but now courageously takes the lead in all of our outdoor adventures. She’s really transformed over the years, and it’s been so much fun to witness.

Just now as I was sitting at my makeshift work desk at my parents’ house, with Hazel laying on the floor at my feet (and Japhy laying just behind her), I laughed out loud at something I read online and Hazel’s tail thumped the floor one time. I looked down and laughed again, and it thumped the floor a second time. I reached down and scratched her face and said, “You’re just a little extension of mama’s heart, aren’t you?” She licked my hand.

Yes. Yes, she is.

I’ve also only recently realized (I can be a little slow sometimes) that her innate ability to be ever underfoot is 100% her Australian Cattle Dog genes manifesting. This girl is always at my heels, particularly indoors when she’s waiting for the next adventure.

If anyone ever tells you that purebreds are better than mutts, don’t believe them. Purebreds have their place, of course, but this little mutt with all nine breeds’ worth of genetics wrapped up beautifully in her small, mostly pitbull-looking body—this extension of my very full heart—is pretty flippin’ amazing. Because Japhy is dog reactive, I haven’t put nearly enough individual focus on her training (something I’m not proud of, but I am only one person), yet she responds to my cues promptly and with great ambition. She feels everything I feel, and everything Japhy feels, too (which sometimes isn’t great). She absorbs the emotions of every living being around her, often trying to step in and counter those emotions with love. This is, incidentally, something I’ve observed and personally experienced as a trait associated with feminine energy (I’m not saying the trait does not exist in male energy, it’s just different). And it’s exactly the balance I needed.

All of this to say, my Hazel girl is pretty dang special. And the three of us are a far better team with her leading the pack.