Details

        While observing Kismet, I've noticed some details about her. When she lays on me and I'm petting her, I noticed that she'll close her eyes and they flutter a little. I can see her eyes rolling back into her head, which to me is a funny sight that I can't help but laugh which causes her to wake up. I feel bad afterwards but Kismet doesn't seem to mind, she'll go right back to sleep.
      I've also noticed her nose. It looks like it's made of dots that are tightly packed together. A black little rubber nose. I don't know what dogs noses are made of so I looked it up, thanks to Google. A doctor or petplace.com says "A dog's nose is part of the epidermis or "skin" which is a living part of the body. Although the nose is usually pigmented and appears to be a tough, thick region of integument(an outer protective covering such as the skin of an animal) it is actually composed of only three layers rather than the five layers found on the other parts of body. The outermost layer of cells on the nose is called the stratum corneum. The grooves within the epidermal surface give it its textured appearance. This texture is unique to every animal, much like fingerprints are in humans." So her nose is not made of little dots, as sad as I am to hear that, it is instead just skin with grooves.
      Since the big picture of these observations is to focus more on things we don't notice in everyday life, that's what I started to do. I tried focusing more on people because I know at least once everyone has wanted someone to notice them and boy did I. I rolled my eyes at the so called thugs of our school as I passed them in the hall with their ridiculously low sagged pants and their hat, but caught myself smiling at the close friendship they have as they exchanged handshakes. I noticed couples and how they stare at eachother when they think the other isn't, it's quite cute actually as cheesy as it sounds. With all the bad things popping up on the news I start to lose faith in humanity, but focusing on the good in people when they think no one is looking is what restores my faith.

Work Cited

     Primovic, Debra, Dr. "Top Stories The Latest News, Article and Tips for Dog Lovers!" Pet Place. N.p., n.p. Web. 16 Nov. 2014

Fighting

Not only do we have Kismet, we have another dog named Dove. She's about 4 now and she's an all black purebred Lab. When we first got Kismet, Dove refused to even acknowledge her. Once she realized that she was staying for awhile Dove warmed up to her. 

When they both got surgery done on them, Kismet got spayed and Dove got a skin tag removed, the nurses taking care of them said they were inseparable and they cried out to each other if they were separated. Now my mom and I consider them sisters. 

But there's times when Kismet will want to prove she's dominant. She'll initiate the fight by lunging for her throat. Dove retaliates with a twist away from her and snapping back at her. Kismet will jump up at the same time Dove does and they will paw at eachother while baring their teeth. Once Dove has pinned Kismet to the floor with her muzzle on Kismet's throat, Kismet will wait and pant. Then she lunges for Dove's weak spot when she thinks Dove isn't look, her legs. Dove crumples to the ground a little, weakened and a little off guard but that doesn't stop her. She growls her warning at Kismet and lunges again. In the end Dove will prove she's the Alpha by pinning Kismet once again. 

When the fighting is over, Kismet and Dove play together and relax like it didn't happen. Imagine if humans did that as well...

Love

What is love?

When I did some research I found out it was the most researched question on Google in 2012. One website (chabad.org) defines it as an action and it is similar to asking "what is running?" or "what is swimming?" Psychologytoday.com says it is a force of nature. 

"Love speaks out for justice and protests when harm is being done. Love points out the consequences of hurting oneself or others. Love allows room for anger, grief, or pain to be expressed and released....Love cares what becomes of you because love knows that we are all interconnected. Love is inherently compassionate and empathic. Love knows that the "other" is also oneself. This is the true nature of love and love itself can not be manipulated or restrained. Love honors the sovereignty of each soul. Love is its own law."

              ---Psychologytoday.com 

After finding these definitions, I know that what Kismet does is out of love. When she jumps on the bed and shoves her wet nose on to my face, it is love. 

When Kismet paws at me so I can pet her and show affection back, it is out of love.

When Kismet forces herself on to me so we can cuddle, it is out of love. 

And when she falls asleep on me and I really want to move my legs but I don't, it is out of love.

Our relationship is the definition of love.