If you ever read Charlie Brown comics you can picture Snoopy on top of his dog house, perched at the peak, imitating a bird of prey.  I have that dog.  She does not have a dog house to perch nor is she a beagle, but she has her own way of surveying all.  I sometimes wonder if we bring out specific things in our animals or if we gravitate toward certain personality types. Hazel is my second watching dog and our new dog appears to have the same inclinations.

A watching dog is much different than a watch dog.  A watch dog guards, protects, warns.  A watching dog watches.  She will look out windows, doors, through gates, and under fences.  She will sit on chairs, boxes, beds, and piano benches to get a better perspective on things.  She does not bark, growl, or posture.  She will execute an occasional tail wag and if you look like you are paying attention to her she will give a full exuberant greeting.  The only time she barks is if she is not paying attention and you surprise her.  Our first watching dog was inclined to put on a show for the postal delivery person, but only the postal and only if they didn’t greet her properly (her devotion could be bought with offerings of dog cookies).  The watching dog can surprise the unsuspecting by appearing out of no where, unannounced, because they are curious instead of warning. I choose to believe if it was important to protect the house or their people the dogs would rise to the occasion, maybe.