Seeing Stars: My protective Pomeranians mark their territory in Burbank
There’s no better way to meet people when you’re new to a city than walking your dogs around the neighborhood, especially when your dogs are adorable and friendly. Well, at least mine are always adorable.
I have had very friendly dogs in the past but my little balls of black fluff are a different story unless conditions are just so. They are extremely selective when it comes to who they are friendly to in our daily travels on their turf.
They love most people and certain tested other dogs, but they are loudly suspicious of random men and women, who I guess must be fearful.
People frequently greet my dogs before me, they ask me where they are if they see me without them and the mutts have made a name for themselves at Avalon Burbank, with people dropping dog gifts off at my apartment door.
It always surprises me when they don’t like a human, but there’s been a couple of times I’ve been very grateful when they start their snarling, scary barks. They have the ability to make somebody think twice about getting too close to mommy, which is the purpose for which Pomeranians were bred.
Poms are decendents of the Spitz line and were made popular by Queen Victoria, who helped the breed become smaller so they could become great protective lap dogs. Pomeranians are fiercely protective of their owners and the feeling is mutual because it turns out, I’m not the only one in love with my Poms. Two of the three dogs that survived the sinking of the Titanic, were Pomeranians.
It’s amazing that such big personalities come in small packages and in my little neighborhood, during three walks per day, “Thing One” and “Thing Two,” as I like to call them, have staked out their territory. They march out the door and down the steps everyday ready to take on any unfortunate dog and it’s owner that may be walking by their exit.
They have specific sides of me in certain areas and my male always positions himself to be on his perception of the most dangerous side to protect me and my girl dog. In fact, he sleeps at the foot of my bed until I drift off and then he goes and lies down where he can watch the door to make sure I’m safe while I sleep. Now that’s love and loyalty.
Honestly, I feel sad for anybody who hasn’t experienced feeling love for a dog or cat. My dogs give me a reason to get up and get my butt moving every morning and the love I feel for them keeps me radiating at a higher frequency, attracting good things to me. They’ve adapted well to our new place in Burbank and I’ve made some great new friends because of them. They are both rescue dogs but the truth is they rescued me.
Cassandra M. Bellantoni is a Los Angeles freelance reporter, producer, video editor and featured front-page blogger on Huffington Post. She is also a former chef, restaurant owner and breast cancer survivor. Follow her on Twitter @StarShineSpeaks or email cassandra_bellantoni@yahoo.com