MIKE'S MEMOIRS-Part 1

The following was written by Mike McConnery. It is the beginning of his book called "Working Service Training."
This book is an on going project, which was started in the 1980's.
Many versions of this portion of the book have been printed with additional wording or paragraphs that have been omitted.
The following is exactly how it has been written taken from the original copy.

The following is one man's theory no more or no less.

Like all journeys in life it is simply one road. There are many others.
We as individuals must realize that the dogs we share our lives with are also individuals. Although they as we are bound by definite genetic and social structures and boundaries. They are not motivated by greed nor peer pressures or are they effected by economic policies.

We on the other hand move on a course of thought and emotion. It is here we must learn to truly communicate with our canine counterpart we must do so from the heart.

The dog is simply that, no hidden sides of character no corners of hidden self. Capable of knowing our real selves, I believe, within seconds. He looks into us, viewing past our pretences deep within our being.

Those who have said a dog knows no love has never loved his or her dog. By using this philosophy as a key, we can attempt to unlock the door, which separates a pet (a piece of property) from a companion (a friend and protector).

In my life, I have known many dogs.
Each one a totally different personality from the other. Each one willing to accept me without judgement or reservation. What ever life presented we were pals.

Long ago, I stopped asking what I could teach my dog wondering now what I could gain from them. To many perhaps I may seem somewhat strange in my thoughts. To those who have discovered the inner worlds of the dog, a quieter, gentler world has become apparent.

It is only man in his foolishness that desired to create his dog in his own image.
The dog must be a dog to survive, to excel he must walk on his paths in his own way. He can run faster over longer distances across dangerous terrain, follow unseen tracks with confidence jump over, crawl under, break through obstacles man would quickly shun.
The dog can uncannily sense, fear, anger, sickness, death and danger.
Man still has a difficult time understanding his own heart.

Such a creature, one would think, would be eagerly received as a friend treasured in a troubled world. Yet we struggle to make him do stupid tricks for our enjoyment, then we become frustrated and discouraged when he becomes less than we expect. All because we expect him to be less than he is.
For to be more human is to rob him of his natural and supernatural abilities. It is to confine that which knows no boundaries.
Only together in total acceptance does man and dog excel as a team. Both using their natural abilities fully to compliment each other.

Man must be the leader, but he must learn to lead.
When we are ignorant in this task we hinder the dog through pressure and broken signals. The dog will then retreat from his natural sense. Yet as we can negatively effect him we can also positively be an asset to him.

It is almost laughable that in a time when the social structure is degenerating that the dog is being permitted to show his true self and value.
To the dog what is good is good. That which is bad is bad.
He does not try to foolishly cover up the world's darkness with promises all too empty or excuses. Instead he holds at bay or confronts the evil doer with all his heart and all his might.

Man could indeed learn form this. As a good shepherd he keeps his flock free from wolves.
It is only man who fools himself in to believing the wolves of this world can run with the sheep. The wolf only knows how to prey on the sheep, therefore he must be removed.

In our world we reason that treated gently and with trust the wolf will change. We wait, making excuses as the sheep one after one is slaughtered by the wolves. Refusing again and again to remove the problem.
The dog is not so confused in his reason. A wolf is a wolf, a sheep a sheep.
The dog reacts to save the flock. He gives his loyalty freely.

We must learn this lesson before we can truly work with our dog as a team member. Black is black and white is white. There is no grey area in the heart or mind of man.

When man and dog start their relationship, it is like watching footprints in the shinning fresh snow. At first mans' prints stand alone, the dog's prints are seen to criss-cross as he runs back and forth trying to find his place.
Later the tracks walk side by side every so often you can see the dog's prints circle the man's as the relationship strengthens. Finally the dog's prints are intermingled with the man's as he guides his human friend through life's pathways.
Here too you can see places where the tracks seem jumbled this is the very places where they have paused to share a gentle word or soft hand.

As all who read this can tell, I look or try to look beyond the wet nose and soft eyes of my canine friends.
I believe them to be a mirror of our souls.
A bridge to human kindness and an interpreter of a language we have long forgotten, a gentle word for our fellow man.

With my dog I can go anywhere he is an ambassador, a protector a companion, a friend, a confidante and an alarm against unseen danger. Together we can be of service in a burdened time. Apart we are alone, incomplete.
Therefore we continue together.

Using all I have said as a foundation, one must also have a great desire to
(1) give and receive complete trust, love and purpose to his or her canine companion, and V(2) accepting this relationship and purpose one must give life to it through service.

If the dogs purpose is to serve man we as humans must realize his total self is only possible when he serves all of mankind. The beauty and sadness of this completion and balance is, that this is only possible when man enters in as an equal team partner.

I have found the recovery and building of the dogs character excels at the same rate as his handler.
The dogs goal is, I believe, set by the human heart. Having no ambition to himself the canine is lost or excels at mans true desire.
By this I do not mean to imply if I desire to destroy my dog or build him it is my choice. I do not believe this is true. As a man I realize the complexity of the human mind. We even try to deceive ourselves at times. The dog would never be led nor mislead by such a fickle source of emotion. It is deep within our heart and soul. In a place often hidden from ourselves that dictates to our dog. By this we find we have to be sincere even beyond our own knowledge.

Working service is the natural walk through life of man or woman and their dog. This type of program gives us a purpose in our daily lives.
A reason to take that one more step and a true friend to take it with.

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