Domesticated Animal Observation

My name is Kayla Calderwood. I wrote this piece for educational purposes, ASU course IDS312 TOPIC: Pets, Predators, and Pest- ANIMAL LOG 1, originally submitted March 21, 2023.

I want to convey a true observation of the domesticated animal category I have chosen, pets. Curious to further understand dog psychology. I have decided to produce an important observational report of my dog’s movements, habits, and desires. This study will contain present observations and previous recollections. It is important to have a contrast of sustained observation periods.

Specifically, I observed a rare breed, a golden chow. My rescue animal Leo is a combination of a golden retriever and the chow-chow. The night of my log starts on April 24th, 2020, around midnight, when I pulled into a gas station and observed what I believe to be a 3–5-year-old dog with spun gold hair, groomed like a lion, with a full long mane, perhaps 8 inches long. The dog was sitting alone by the entrance to the gas station; I thought this dog had such a proud and kind stature and wondered why this dog had no collar or leash.

I went inside and asked whose dog was outside or if the dog belonged to anyone, scared the dog would run into the very busy street; I wasted no time and continued my search outside. With no luck, I knew I had to give this angel a safe place for the night.

Therefore I started to observe this majestic creature and wondered how I would get him in my car. What if he attacks me while I am driving? All this consumed my brain, but my heart knew I needed help. I slowly approached, his paws were extra large, and his mannerisms were unforgettable. His nervousness spoke of anxiety, and his gentle yet apprehensive behavior told me he was safe to approach. He was timid but was curious about my intentions as he went from sitting to all fours. Leos’s head began to tilt side to side and slowly came forth to meet my extended hand. First, keeping his body back but snout attentive to my open hand, eager to identify if I am a friend or foe. As the dog started moving closer, I began to observe the height and possible weight.

My estimate was at least 85 pounds and close to 6ft if he was to stand on his hind legs, of course. As the dog’s mannerisms started to seem less standoffish, I slowly attempted to pet Leo for the first time. I could tell he was warming up to me as he gladly moved his whole body to meet my extended hand. Starting to see that I am here to help, I realize Leo had now begun to wrap himself in half-moon around me for continued pets.

Curious to observe the once timid dog I rescued and any major changes in appearance and behavior in Leo, My second observation took place Saturday, March 18th, 2023. Leo lays on the kitchen floor, snoring. I stare in pure amazement at how perfect my dog is, now three years older and no longer humiliated by a groomed lion cut. He now has long shaggy hair, the way a golden is supposed to be, with a mane still resembling a lion and a slight grey appearing around his beard. He wakes as I close the fridge door, accidentally awakening him. He perks his head up off the ground where it was previously snoozing and puts his front and backs paws out for a good morning stretch resembling that of a seal stretching on its belly. I approach Leo as he lies there waiting for his pets; I observe his tail excited and wagging and his head raised, eager for attention.

As I stop petting and begin to walk back towards the kitchen, curious to see what Leo would do next, Leo gives his morning old man grunt and picks himself up, using mostly using his front paws for momentum to lift his arthritis-ridden hips. Hard to miss the constant smile displayed across my dog’s face as he gets up and comes in for his hugs. In my final observation, Leo curved his body into me and looked back in admiration before planting his body on my feet and taking a seat, so I could not leave his embrace.

Great deliberation of details recognized through sustained observation helped me understand the psychology of a dog, specifically my domestic animal, rescue pet- Leo. More so firmly agree with a concept divulged by author Clinton Sanders in the book Understanding Dogs. “The picture that will emerge here is of animals as having identifiable emotional experiences.”(Sanders, 1999, p. 113) My findings have identified that my rescue dog Leo’s emotional attributes reflect traumatic experiences and convey a sense of safety and comfortability. Yet, his behavior still presents an understandable fear of abandonment.

Thank you for reading my Animal Log Post; I have shared a video of Leo above my listed reference.

REFERENCE

Sanders, C. (1999). Understanding dogs: living and working with canine companions (p. 113). Temple University Press.