"Hi Orion, do you want to talk today?" I opened. "I've been ready!" he said enthusiastically. "You look like a smart boy," I told him. And he replied, "I'm very smart and capable. It's why they put me in charge." "Your people put you in charge?" I was surprised because it didn't exactly feel that way. It felt more like Orion thought he was in charge and was happy to ignore any other cues from his people surrounding that. So he said, "Well, yes, in a way. They don't think I'm in charge, but because of the kind of breed I am and my personality and talents, I am in charge. I can handle things." I wanted to clarify, "So because your people adopted you into the family, you take that to mean they understand your breed is a take-charge kind and so they are knowingly adopting a dog who they want to be in charge?" "Yes, that's exactly it," he said. "Doesn't that make sense? It follows logic for me. I don't need to hear any more to believe it." (he doesn't want to hear any more in case there is a difference of opinion). I asked, "Tell me what kinds of things you are in charge of?" "Oh, everything, really. Strangers, visitors, trespassers — they all have to go through me. This includes people and animals. New toys and things in the home? I have to check them out first. Food? Same." I see him being very impatient around mealtime. He can't wait until he is served and often won't wait and will go to the source to hasten the process. "I'm just taking charge; claiming what's mine," he explained. "Is there competition for your food?" I wondered. "Yes, there are others. But you can't let them sense weakness. Show them their places," he stated. It feels like there is a cat and maybe another dog in the house. "What does everyone else think about your 'take charge' attitude?" I asked him. "It's just known we're like that, so it shouldn't be a surprise to anyone," he explained, again referring to his breed. "Just because it's no surprise doesn't mean they welcome it," I commented. He paused to think about this, something he tries not to do. If he thinks about reasonings, it may go against his ingrained instincts. He finally said, a little hesitantly, "Why, what have you heard?" "I haven't heard anything, as I haven't talked with anyone else in your family," I told him. "I just asked because in a family, it's important to consider everyone's preferences and feelings and not just your own. So I wondered how they feel about your taking charge." "They're probably happy that someone is looking out for them all the time. Not everyone can do this kind of thing." I felt like he kind of knew where I had been heading with the conversation, but he just didn't want to talk about it and I didn't want to make him feel bad, so I decided to change the subject. "Orion, what do you like to do for fun?" I asked. He shows me on an outing with the family. It's a park or some grassy area. He is vigilantly looking around, checking things out. Basically, he is working, but that's what he finds most fun. "What about playing?" I wondered. He then shows me fetching a ball. He likes this as well and is very fast and good at this game. I wonder if there's anything else and he shows me playing tug-o-war with a rope. He's pretty focused on this and won't let up until he "wins" which is often beyond what the person playing with him wants to do. He seems like a very happy boy, very focused on his job, very happy to be in this family. He's maybe not quite as aware as he could be of how his actions affect others, but he truly feels he is serving everybody, doing what he was born to do in order to help his family. This single-minded focus is why some of the subtleties and good manners are lost on him sometimes. When I think of him and food, it feels like he very much appreciates it. It's also a motivator for him, so can be used to shape his actions if necessary. I feel like a raw diet is either ideal for him or something he would thrive on. Perhaps he's already on it and that's why the imagery of it keeps coming up for me. "Anything else you'd like to say, Orion?" I asked him. "I'm really good at what I do. They are lucky to have me," he says. He says this partially out of pride for what he does, but a little out of insecurity, as he wants his family's approval. Specifically, he wants you them to recognize that he lives his life to keep the family safe and his methods, while sometimes misunderstood, are all to support that mission. So no one should question his methods, either. To me, this feels a little like someone who knows there could be some improvement in his ways, but he is purposely ignoring that and emphasizing his best points in hopes that you will overlook the rest and he won't have to address them or change. I looked over at him after writing this to see what he thought and he said, "That isn't up for discussion now." LOL. I think there's the answer to that one, then! I thanked Orion for the talk and he was excited to "get back to work." Feedback from his person:I’m happy to report that you were so right on the money with Orion that I’m amazed! I’m a very open minded person but I don’t really understand animal communication but was willing to offer Orion up for readings. Orion is for all intents and purposes “in charge”. We have tried to get him to understand that it should be us in the main control position, but he will have none of it. He was like this as an 8 week old puppy and it took a long time for us to come to an understanding. 😡 To say he has been difficult is an understatement! 😆 He wants control of space, food and possessions. And me and my husband....more so my husband. He does not like him to move anywhere. He wants him to just sit in a chair for all eternity. Any movement and the barking starts! Food is his life. He is fed a raw diet and he is ridiculously vocal when it’s time for meals. My family refers to me as the “food bitch”. 😂 Apparently Orion didn’t tell you that he is almost 16 years old....most likely because he doesn’t act like it. He still has the same mindset he had as a puppy but he doesn’t move as fast. And he can’t play anymore because he has neuropathy is his back legs so he walks like a drunken sailor. Thank you so very much for taking the time to read Orion. I love him to pieces but it’s been a long, strange trip with him!
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AuthorMy name is Josh and I'm a learning animal communicator, hoping that sharing my journey will help others. Categories
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February 2020
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