I love my knit ski hat on rainy days. It serves a dual purpose by keeping the rain off of my head and my ears warm. My Alaskan malamute has a double layer of fur to protect her from the winter rain and cold. Today she and I walked around a local park in between rain showers. We were practically the only ones there except for three squirrels up in a tree, which my 110lb puppy wanted to meet. As she pulled me off my feet to the base of the squirrel inhabited tree, I realized that the power and control of our relationship had switched for an instant from me to her. I knew I had to regain power and control, so I quickly shortened her leash while she was momentarily distracted reaching up the bark of the tree on her hind legs making her almost equal to me in height. She is my beloved pet, but still only a dog not a human, not the master, or responsible dog owner. I have decided to purchase a different collar and leash system called the "gentle leader." If that doesn't work, perhaps I will try more obedient training. The bottom line is that I have to get her under control. I have the power, and will prove it to her, and she will submit obediently.
As a recent student of history, I am under the impression that there seems to be a constant never ending struggle over power and control. Those in power want to keep their power by employing whatever means necessary in many cases to control those with no power. And so this pattern goes around the world past, present, and probably future.
