You’re casually strolling along on a not-too-hot summer day and the park is full of owners and their dogs, and then suddenly, it strikes you. Everyone bears an uncanny resemblance to their pet, or depending on your school of thought, every pet bears an uncanny resemblance to its owner. It’s an epiphany many have experienced. So, the question that remains is why? Well, there are a few schools of thought on the issue…
THEORY #1 – Vanity’s Subconscious Power
One common theory about owner-pet physical similarities is that people are vain. And as vain creatures, it is simply part of our nature to select that which mirrors ourselves back.
To illustrate the point, let’s imagine that the cute and perfectly tanned surfie boy down the street with shaggy blonde hair decides he wants a canine companion. Off he goes to the RSPCA to see what dogs are in need of a home. He steps in and wah-LA!, he sees a one-year old Golden Retriever. It’s love at first sight. There’s just no contest between Spot and the little lap poodle in the corner. Why? Because Spot the Golden Retriever, like the surfer, was made for the beach, for running around. He’s loyal and laidback and doesn’t think too much about anything else. In a past life, Mr. Surfie was probably that Golden Retriever’s great-great grandfather. At this point, we could probably delve into the whole realm of past lives and the interrelatedness of species, but such a topic is just WAY too advanced for an intro column on the topic.
THEORY #2 – Mr Wiggles Chose You
While most people like to think they are the one in power in the animal-owner relationship, our second theory holds that is just not the case. Take for example, fictional lesbian couple Lisa and Lissa. L&L are contemplating parenthood, but before they pull out the trusty turkey baster, they want to see if they would make responsible parents. So, they decide its time to get a dog. They walk into a kennel ready to pick out the perfect pet and springboard themselves into motherhood.
What are L&L likely to choose? The answer is a dog that seems friendly, cute, cuddly – in short, a dog that embodies all the qualities they hope their future child will have. What Lisa and Lissa don’t realize is that the selection process works both ways, and dogs are checking out potential owners as well. Dogs know what they want and what they don’t. And when L&L walk in oohing and aahing at how cute the various dogs are, the Doberman in the corner starts a-growling, not because it’s a mean dog, but because it doesn’t want some pink-doilied home in the suburbs. But that little cocker spaniel puppy in the other corner, that’s a different story. Mr Wiggles lives for monogrammed towels and long spooning sessions, so he puts on his cutest face and gives a cheerful little woof. Sold!
THEORY #3 – The Urge to Merge
Lesbian couples the world over are familiar with this theory. By the second date, as Mary stands in the driveway directing as Michelle reverses a ute with all her earthly positions, (freshly salvaged from the last girlfriend’s house) into the driveway of her new home… well, by then, the matching flannel shirts (or, if you prefer Chardonnay to VB, the matching black, tailored whatever-it-is uniform) give away the power of the urge to merge.
If you followed that little metaphor, then you realize it is not about which dog an owner chooses, it’s the time spent together day after day. As little Buddy carefully studies his owners, picking up behaviour, gestures, expressions, even a cute flannel of his own for the Pride dog show, he slowly but surely comes to imitate his owners until one day, Mary and Michelle catch their reflection in a store window on a stroll through town. And there they are, a trio with heads ever so slightly cocked to the left, right eyebrow raised, identical pouts. So, the theory goes that as the lead dog, we set the example and it’s simply an irrepressible force of nature that sooner or later, our animals become as we are.
Related THEORY – The Identity crisis.
There is, of course, always the exception. The dog in question, far from looking like their owner, is actually their visual antithesis. There are two possible explanations. Firstly, the human has a great wad of wishful thinking wedged between themselves and a mirror, resulting in an extremely handsome canine sporting an unfortunately visaged human. The other explanation is to credit the intuitive powers of an animal. So, the Muscle Mary with the pink French poodle cruising the dog park? Consider it fair warning that hidden inside that man of steel is a fluffy yap that belies the buff exterior.
Whatever theory you choose to believe, the bottom line is carrying a dog around in your purse like an accessory says more about you than you realize. Handy knowledge to use for good or evil, your dog provides the ultimate crash course in self awareness or a guide to who not to date.
