Totem Tuesday: Dog Medicine

Dog Medicine

By Felina Lune Kavi

“The average dog is a nicer person than the average person.”  -Andrew A. Rooney

Keywords:  loyalty, friendliness, protection, service, guidance, helpfulness, unconditional love, compassion, worry

Of all the qualities associated with the Dog, loyalty is perhaps their most well known trait.  In fact, most dogs won’t even hold a grudge after being scolded or mistreated (the same can’t usually be said for cats, of course).  Their love for those who take care of them is unconditional, and they are always quick to return the favor by offering their companionship, protection, and service.  

The same is true for those who have Dog as their totem animal.  They are selfless servers of humanity, loving and friendly companions, and fierce protectors of their families.  They may find themselves being loyal to the wrong kind of companions at times in their lives…trying hard to make things work, making excuses for why someone might mistreat them…but in the right relationship, people with Dog as their totem animal will be friends for life.

Dogs are very social creatures and often don’t like to be alone.  They are inherently communicative, expressive and demonstrative…even when silent.  They have a need to get out and about and see the world, using all of their senses to discover what’s going on around them.  

People with this totem are very easy to read and easy to get along with.  They wear their hearts on their sleeve and are an open book to anyone who seems interesting or interested.  They love to talk, go out and have fun with others and are playful and friendly companions who are often good with children.  They are quick to help anyone in need without any expectation of something in return.  Always wanting to sniff out the truth, they may get a bit ‘nosy’ at times…but it is usually just because they care about people and want to know more about them.

Dog people, much like dogs, have a tendency to worry to the point of getting worked up over things and stressing themselves out, often making matters worse.  A dog may show this by chewing up the furniture while its owner is away at work…while a person with Dog as their totem may show this by having a panic attack about their kid’s first day of school, for example. 

Dogs are compassionate animals who tend to put others first before themselves.  They have long served as protectors of a tribe or family, or as guides for the blind.  Helping others and serving humanity in some way is part of their medicine.  People with this totem often choose a profession along these lines.

If Dog is one of your totems, these and many other lessons will be prevalent in your life.  Dog will urge you to refine your mastery of this medicine.  If you see a dog, but it is not one of your totems, respect it as a messenger for that time.  You may need its medicine for what is happening then or what is coming up in the near future.  Accept and appreciate the guidance Dog gives you, whether it is in the form of unconditional love or excited barks to greet you along your walk.  Dog may be encouraging you to be more social or to practice being a helpful friend to yourself as well as others.