Tuesday, June 12, 2012

WELCOME GIFT


Dog Psychology - Gifting Behaviour 
Sherry's Welcome Gift
By
VIKRAM KARVE


I have a pet dog named Sherry, a DobermanX girl (the X-Factor is probably a Caravan or Mudhol Hound). 

Sherry gives me a most enthusiastic grand rousing welcome every time I return home. 

Sherry waits for me to come home, and the moment she sees me, Sherry goes berserk with sheer excitement, wagging her tail vigorously round and round, jumping up at me enthusiastically, making unique welcome yelps, nudging me with her mouth and nose, and when I, overcome by a flood of love, have caressed, patted and cuddled her, she runs round and round the house in happy joyful exhilaration and ecstatic glee vigorously wagging her tail.

And then, as I enter the house, Sherry does something unique which I have never seen any other pet dog do – she brings me a “gift”.

Yes, she comes to me carrying in her mouth a welcome gift, and drops the gift at my feet.

And do you know what this welcome gift is...?

Well, sometimes it is an old bone she digs out, or maybe an old soiled rag cloth or the pair of socks she had stealthily pinched from the drying stand and hidden, buried deep in the lawn, or one of her toy “babies”, or an old shoe, or maybe just some piece of muck she has dug up, or a twig, or the towel from her bed, just about anything – but Sherry always welcomes me home with a gift.

She does this to my wife, kids, mother, friends, maid and others she knows well and though her welcome may not be as vigorously enthusiastic as she does for me, Sherry always brings them a “gift”.

I am sure if that if you ever visit me, Sherry will bring you a welcome gift too!

For unwanted strangers Sherry has a ferocious, rather ominous bark, and, if the pay no heed and dare to enter our compound, the trespassers are in for a vicious assault followed by a memorable bite. Oh yes, Sherry is is a superb guard dog. She bites first, barks later.

Sherry’s “gifting nature” has me perplexed.

I have never seen any other pet dog bringing welcome gifts.

Sherry’s fantastic welcome overwhelms me with a delightful emotion of happiness, gratitude and love that I cannot describe in words, and I always look forward to returning home to Sherry.

My wife and kids do sometimes welcome me home too, of course not as enthusiastically as Sherry, and they never give me any “welcome gift” on my arrival.

Dear Reader, have you ever seen any dogs demonstrate their happiness and affection in this way...?

Please can some dog lover or canine psychologist or dog behavioral specialist throw some light on this “gifting behaviour” displayed by Sherry.

Why does my darling pet Doberman-X girl Sherry express her love in such an inimitably endearing manner...? 

VIKRAM KARVE 
Copyright © Vikram Karve 2012
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

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About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer. Educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories, creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional research papers in journals and edited in-house journals for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for almost 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing. Vikram lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
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Email: vikramkarve@sify.com
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© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
   

2 comments:

Ankionthemove said...

You must be real lucky to have a dog like sherry in that case(gifts,wow!).We have dog too,but apart from his welcome gesture,no gifts received so far n now that he'z 13 no luck with that i guess in future:)

Vikram Waman Karve said...

Hi Ankita,
A welcome gesture is a gift in itself.
Say Bow Wow to your Dog.
Regards
Vikram