We know humans span the range of extraverts and introverts. We are all somewhere between here and there, leaning one way or the other. I lean to the introvert side quite a way, while my wife leans heavily to the extravert side. She needs the excitement and energy of the outside world. I, on the other hand, thrive on the inner world. At the same time, we both realize that we are a combination of both. We identify with the one we see as our strength. I can survive in the outer world, but it wears me out . . . exhausts me. For the wife, she thrives and is energized . . . she is revved up . . . raring to go. She is more balanced in her make up, whereas I lean way to the introvert side and pull myself kicking and screaming into the world of extraverts.
It is a scale for us humans. We are a combination of both. I have made myself content with how I am. Those who know and love me respect my being as it is. At the same time, they lovingly tease me to step out into the chaos of the world and attempt be more extraverted.
This we know about humans. What about our pets? Ever wonder if your pup or kitty was an “introvert” or “extravert”? Only recently have I wondered—what are my dogs? Introverts? Extraverts?
It piqued my curiosity the other day when some popping noises happened in the neighborhood. A couple of bangs! Bang! Suddenly Birdie, our Border Collie/Corgi mix, got anxious. She started breathing heavily. She cuddled up against my leg. She nervously looked around and kept glancing up to me for reassurance. The nose scared her, and she couldn’t get close enough for some security.
Ever since she was a pup she hated loud exploding, pooping, banging noises. She goes into an anxiety attack. It is no fun to watch her suffer. It makes me sad.
On the other hand, Quinn—our miniature Dachshund, is unfazed by the noise. She is practically oblivious to the noise. Of course she gets her vibes from her older sister, thus she senses the anxiety that Birdie is feeling.
From this description one would think that Birdie is an introvert . . . Quinn is an extravert. Wrong! It is the opposite. Quinn is our introverted pup. Birdie is the extravert. At least that is how I see them. The wife might disagree, but we learned long ago that it is best to agree to disagree and move on.
The truth of it all is that they are no different than humans. They are a combination of both.
Birdie loves the outer world. She loves to be outside . . . out in nature with all the sounds and activity. She has never met another dog that isn’t a potential playmate . . . a companion to while the hours away. It drives her crazy to watch the neighbors play with their pups. She wants to play too. She wants that interaction.
She loves company. It does not matter if it is a critter or human. She is friendly and open to meeting others. She loves to go on walks to encounter people and other pups. She’s an avid reader of “pee mail”. Doesn’t miss a post and is always eager to leave a response. There are no short walks with Birdie.
Birdie especially loves children. A protector and companion. She was always checking in on the grandchildren whenever they visited. Always wanting to be where the action is. She lives for those opportunities. From the time I get home I get the “stare” . . . take me for my walk.
Quinn . . . well, she is different. She loves the indoors. That is her domain. Her toys are scattered throughout, whereas Birdie’s are scattered across the yard. Where Birdie finds great joy in the great outdoors, Quinn finds a necessary evil of that where business is to be taken care of. For Quinn going outside is a brief diversion. Unless it is sunny, and the rocks are warm. Otherwise, it does not take much to coax her in.
Indoors she has her humans. Two are enough for her. The wife and I meet her needs. A nice lap . . . a warm blanket . . . she is in heaven. When it comes time for a walk, she is a nervous Nellie. She hides under the table. She goes in the opposite direction. Walks are not her thing. People are not her thing. Birdie appreciates and approaches people—Quinn hides behind me.
I can’t blame her acting strange when it comes to walks. After all, she is a miniature Dachshund. She weighs a whopping ten pounds soaking wet. She takes ten steps to Birdie’s one. Plus, she is living in the land of giants. Everything and everyone are bigger than she is. Huge in comparison. And children . . . children are the bane of her existence. Children are touchy, feelie giants apt to step or pull on her. She rather hang out with her humans. It is safer. Life expectancy is longer.
Quinn is a cuddler. Birdie is action. At the same time, they exhibit their weaker traits. Birdie prefers a quiet place by herself to nap and sleep. Quinn is under the sheets cozy between her two humans. Birdies stares and rarely barks in the house, except when she has had enough inner time and longs for some extraverted time. Inside Quinn has no difficulty expressing herself to me, often leading to long barking dialogues. She barks a lot. I blame it one small dog syndrome—she is a small dog!
Birdie is the extravert. Quinn is an introvert. Either way they are our furry buddies . . . our companions. They are who they are. Living with my wife, I understand Birdie—they both want a lot of attention and wear me out. Quinn, on the other hand . . . well we connect. We know each other. We love our house . . . our sanctuary. We love our pack. It is enough for us. They say people and dogs begin to resemble each other after a while. When it comes to looks that is not the case for us . . . though I find Quinn to be quite a looker in comparison to me. No, the older we get the more our personalities resemble one another. We humans and all our critters are more alike than we know. We are blessed by the tie that binds us.
Arooooo!!
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