Who Belongs Here?

2 October 2012 | Lynn Ungar

by Taz

It’s funny that our theme this month should be Belonging, because at the moment our household has a stranger in our midst. For some reason my mom decided it would be a good idea to have a little puppy stay with us for the week. Now, I don’t mind a small dog in its place, but I didn’t exactly ask to have this tiny, bouncy thing move into my house and play with my toys and sleep on my bed and, worst of all, play with my sister and get snuggled by my mom! I do not know what makes her think she is entitled to these things.

So…I’ve kind of spent the last few days growling at the puppy every time that she walks by. She should know that she is not entitled to just move into my house and act like everything belongs to her. That just isn’t right. I was here first. How come she gets to waltz in here and get fed three times a day? How come she gets lunch when I don’t?

I understand why it is that so many people are so upset about immigration. What gives those people the right to just move in and start using stuff that belongs to those who are already here? I think people have every right to get growly.

But here’s the funny thing. Last night my sister and the puppy were playing and running and tugging and having so much fun that I just couldn’t resist joining in. Who would have known that the little puppy could handle roughhousing with us two big dogs? Strangely, it happens that she really is kind of cool and fun once you get to know her. And, now I think about it, I’m still getting as many snuggles from my mom and as much play time with my sister as ever. And not only do my meals come as regularly as ever, sometimes I even get a bite of puppy food as a bonus!

It turns out that once I let go of my fears and actually got to know the little stranger herself I could imagine her being part of my family. And now I’m wondering how many other people get all growly and worried about the presence of people that they haven’t taken the time to get to know.


Taz is a seven-year-old Belgian Tervuren, the companion of Lynn Ungar, the CLF’s minister for lifespan learning. While he competes in a variety of dog sports, his favorite jobs are as running companion to Lynn’s wife Kelsey and manager of the household cats.