A Blurb on Burb: Burb Dogs Talking About Burb Dogs, Ch 3
A Blurb on Burb: Burb Dogs Talking About Burb Dogs Ch 3: Color-of-Honey (Honey) on Puppies
Hello... my name is Color-of-Honey and I'd like to thank you for coming to this conference today. While I recognize many of you from press events for the institute, I'm sure you're all well aware that we're here today to talk about something just as important as medicine; my good friend Jason Campbell asked me to speak on the topic of Burb Dogs in the hope that we can work to increase understanding among society as a whole.
While many people are familiar with rumors, second-hand information, hearsay, and whatever information and misinformation they may get on the internet, Burb Dog and Leasher relationships are both simpler, and more layered than generally portrayed. To understand how such relationships develop, it helps to know a little more about the interaction between two people. Since most of our viewing audience doesn't have a degree in psychology and sociology, I promise I'll keep things general.
Whether human or Dog, it is normal for someone to seek companionship. For some, it is a matter of acceptance and a desire to belong; for others it is a sense of camaraderie; still others want to find like-minded associates with whom to share common thoughts, ideas, and goals. No matter the reason we seek out others, as a whole, humans and Dogs are social creatures, and we desire this connection. Understanding this, it is entirely reasonable to think that humans and Dogs, Dogs and humans-- we can and DO find this companionship in one another.
For those of you unfamiliar with my background, I am Assistant Administrative Director at the Weidtman-Honey Institute, the premier research and instruction hospital for cross-specialist medical personnel. My professional life has me dealing with humans and Dogs who are sick, injured, and dying on a daily basis. While many people would think my job would be painful and trying, I would agree... but it also gives me the chance to see the best people to offer when they are at our worst... and that is an amazing thing.
I have been described as a Dog with incredible mental and emotional reserves; a woman of great character and unflinching commitment to my craft, my peers, and my employees. Daily, my job includes guiding the careers of hundreds of medical professionals and making certain that our facilities are equipped and prepared to fight disease, heal injuries, and save lives. Yet, for all I do, many people do not understand how I can also be a Puppy. It is to this point that Mr. Campbell has asked that I talk.
There are many people not in-the-know regarding the Burb Dog phenomenon or the many divisions within the sub-culture. For the vast majority of those hearing the term 'Puppy' applied to a Burb Dog, the first thing that crosses their mind is a psychological term known as 'regression'. 'Regression' was first coined by Sigmund Freud, and used it to describe a defense mechanism that leads to an individual reverting to an earlier stage of development; for some, this means taking on childish mannerisms, while, for others, this could cause a reversion to an infantile state. Let me be clear: this is NOT the same as a Puppy relationship for a Burb Dog.
Although some Puppy interactions MAY involve regression-interaction with their Leasher, this is not the general focus for most relationships. A Puppy is a Burb Dog that seeks to be cared for by a human; their Leasher is usually responsible for the household and relies on their human to give them focus. In many ways, a Puppy may be more accurately compared to a teenager; for all intents and purposes they are an adult, but they require the assistance, support, and initiative of another party to keep them moving forward.
The Burb Dogs most likely to join in a Puppy relationship with a Leasher are most often the single child of a single parent, come from long-term family problems, or else may be Burb Dogs that have trouble finding their own way and end up seeking stability at the guidance of another. The third kind of Puppy has become the norm these days as overcrowded schools lend to the indifference in teenagers that may be having difficulty transitioning from puppyhood into adulthood.
The Leashers of Puppies tend to be humans who have a naturally affinity for order. They are generally very good about being in control of their environment, emotions, and lives. The vast majority of Leashers that appeal to Puppies and to whom Puppies are found appealing generally have a stable household, consistent work history, and generally forgo chaos for the sake of continuity. They are reliable people, and usually enjoy taking care of others and lending their strength to those in need.
This is not to say that the Puppy/Leasher relationship is one sided-- far from it. Many humans who exhibit the characteristics that make them a good Leasher for a Puppy tend to be missing a degree of color from their lives. Any man or woman who stretches too far into an orderly lifestyle usually ends up missing on some of the most enjoyable moments life has to bring; this is where a Puppy shines in what he or she adds to their Leasher's life. The reliability of the human is often mirrored in the Dog, and they compliment one another greatly.
Like the Guard Dogs sub-culture, Puppies need their human to provide them focus. Often, the human takes on the role of a parent in the relationship, hence the term "Puppy" applied to the Burb Dog. While a Guard Dog often fights for control with their Leasher, a Puppy is usually happy to relinquish it, preferring instead to have their chosen human help map out their day and grant them direction. Most Puppies are at their best when their energy can be focused... and that's where their Leasher comes in.
Puppies are also very much like Good Dogs; the relationship they have with their Leasher allows them to bring joy and fulfillment to their human, and that, in turn, makes them happy. Puppies and their Leashers are able to create this mutual sense of happiness through sharing their lives in the capacity that each needs most: a Puppy is given direction and the Leasher is granted the opportunity to help shape them and provide the much-missing order to an otherwise chaotic Dog's life.
Unlike other Burb Dogs, however, Puppies tend to be much more temporary in their specific relationships. That is to say, while a Good Dog may always have a relationship based on mutual care taking and a Guard Dog will always be there to protect (and possibly goad) their human, most Puppies will not always be a Puppy for their Leasher. In my case, I was my Leasher's Puppy for just over ten years... and now, we're business partners. It's kind of funny, actually, if you think about it.
Another way in which Puppies stand out from other Burb Dogs is that they are known as the least likely relationships to develop a physical element. In other words, Puppies only rarely share in sexual activities with their Leasher. If it does occur, it, more often than not, is more an expression of trust and mutual adoration than any real pent up release of lust. In these liaisons, the Puppy usually takes cues from their Leasher, but will usually be the more reactive partner at such a time.
To reiterate, sex is not a common practice among Puppies and their Leashers or, at the very least, it is not a large part of the relationship. From personal experience, I can tell you that it is possible to have a very fulfilling Burb Dog relationship as a Puppy without any sexual interaction at all; Dr. Weidtman and his wife were my Leashers for over a decade and, other than me dating one of his children for a short stretch of time, there was nothing even close to romantic in nature, let alone sexual. So... while a Puppy is most often a close companion, such a relationship rarely delves deeper than a platonic parent/child interaction.
This brings us to the discussion of just what a relationship means. Any human in a relationship with a Puppy needs to understand, while that we may be with them because of what they bring to us, we are NOT seeking a hand out and we are not gold diggers. It is true that some Dogs have taken advantages of Leashers, but these individuals are not Burb Dogs; they are con-artists. A real Puppy seeks to add just as much to their Leasher's life as their Leasher adds to theirs... and anyone who has been in a fruitful relationship will know just how different a feeling that is; Puppies could tell you that it is not being 'purchased' and no Leasher would ever feel that they were being 'bled dry'.
The most prominent thing about a Leasher/Puppy relationship is not so much about making sure there is mutual benefit as it is about giving everything and expecting nothing. A Puppy will adore their human, just as I still think only the best of Dr. Weidtman today. A Leasher will be exactly what his or her Puppy needs, guiding as required, assisting as needed, and providing only within the confines of the best way to help the Dog... not enable him or her.
The best relationships between a Puppy and their Leasher leaves the Dog better off for having given themselves over to their human, and leaves the Leasher with a sense of fulfillment and an acknowledgment that they were able to help improve the life of their Dog. Without the willingness of both parties to give equally without holding anything back, it simply doesn't work. If such an equilibrium can be met however, then both parties will prosper for having known one another... and, in my opinion, that is a very wonderful feeling.
So, in conclusion, I will reiterate that being a Puppy does not usually suggest a predisposition towards psychological regression. A Puppy enters into a relationship with a Leasher because they are seeking a human that can give them guidance, direction, and a purpose. Puppies greatly desire to please their Leasher and, more often than not, add a spark of creativity and vitality that the human might otherwise miss. Puppy relationships are not usually sexual in nature, but, when they are, the Dog is usually much more reactive than proactive, and responds to their partner's needs and desires.
I hope I was able to clear up some of the misinformation about this aspect of the Burb Dog culture. As a Puppy myself I can attest to such a relationship granting me an amazing sense of fulfillment, and I can certainly say that I would not be where I am today without Dr. Weidtman's love, support, and guidance. If you were to ask him and his wife, I'm certain that they would freely acknowledge that they were happy with the choice they made when they asked me to come live with them; I know I am.
And, on that note, ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming. I believe we still have enough time for three questions related to the Puppy classification within the Burb Dog sub-culture. Feel free to ask anything related to Puppies and I will gladly answer your question to the best of my ability.