Inspired by Miller & Modela
Do you ever look at your dog and wonder what’s actually happening behind those eyes? Are they replaying the past, lingering in the present, or actively planning for the future?
In my home, the answer depends entirely on which dog you ask. My dog, Miller, is always calculating his next cookie or meal. Modela, on the other hand, lives fiercely in the now. On warm summer days when the boathouse door opens, I watch her drift into the sunshine, stretch, calculating exactly where the dock will land her a single ray of sunshine to warm her body while she finishes her dream.
The Tale of Two Diets: Homecooked vs. Hypoallergenic
This difference between them is never clearer than at dinner time. Miller eats the exact same food twice a day, the same cookies four times a day, and the same bedtime snack. I always wonder what he thinks about that consistency—especially when he smells the freshly made meals I prepare for Modela.
Her food is homemade with a variety of veggies (some frozen, some freshly cut from the local farmers market) mixed with elbow pasta and meat straight from the butcher. It is always fresh, never frozen.
Does Miller think he’s loved less or undeserving of a homecooked meal? Or does he somehow understand his own biology?
Miller is highly allergic to all animal proteins, most grasses, dust, sand, and salt. He’s even allergic to kangaroo (lucky Joey!). Meanwhile, Modela possesses a titanium-like ability to eat and drink whatever she wants, including golf cart padding, paint, and poinsettias. That’s for another story!
It makes me wonder if they view their bowls the same way they view the world around them—one navigating strict boundaries, the other embracing total freedom. That stark contrast between Miller’s fragile biology and Modela’s indestructible spirit doesn’t just show up at the dinner bowl; it follows us the second we step outside into the harsh, beautiful landscape we call home.
Desert Days, Muskoka Nights
Living in the desert, I wonder if they appreciate the unique smells—the fresh morning scent after a rain shower, or the heavy blossom of the cacti. And what goes through their minds when we cross paths with local wildlife like a coyote or a javelina?
It doesn’t seem to matter how many times I remind them, “I protect you.” The moment wild animals or other dogs appear, they instantly switch into Protect My Mom mode. But when the day winds down, they know exactly how to rest.
I’ve witnessed Miller put himself to bed at our lake house in Muskoka. Usually five minutes after his 6:00 PM Whimzee chew, he will strut inside from the balcony. By 6:05 PM, it’s getting dark. The moon casts long shadows over the lake from the boathouse. After a long day on the water filled with fresh air and sunshine, Miller doesn’t break his stride:
- He walks right past Modela curled up on the couch.
- He completely ignores Mom and Dad.
- He heads straight for the laundry room to take a few long laps from his water bowl.
Refueled for the night, he walks slowly with his head half-hung to the bedroom. He knows a warm bed with soft pillows is waiting for him. He curls up like a peanut in its shell—safe, full belly, and loved.
The Morning Shift
When Modela wakes up the next morning, it is full-on go time! Another new day, another time to play. She puts her paws up on the bed and wakes me with wet kisses: Let’s go, Mom! We have a world to explore.
Together, we complete our morning routine:
- Emptying the dishwasher
- Restocking the Fiji water in the fridge
- Taking out last night’s trash
- Brewing Dad’s coffee
As the aroma of fresh coffee fills the room, her nose twitches at the two cookies on the saucer, but she makes no effort to steal them. On the contrary, if the cheese drawer opens or sliced turkey hits the counter? She becomes a ninja right at my side.
“Sorry, Modela—the cheese and turkey sandwich is not for you.”
I can almost see the sadness in her brown eyes as her ears fall slightly. If I got closer, I know I would hear her sigh. Watching them navigate their days reminds me that they are two completely different minds, shaped by two completely different pasts, sharing the exact same home. Tomorrow, we start the clock all over again—and I wouldn’t change a single tick.
🐾 Coming Soon: Part 2
There is so much more beneath the surface. In just a few days, we are diving deep into the fascinating world of canine psychology, rescue dog anxiety, and the powerful emotional frequencies our pets pick up from us—including a personal look at a major health scare we faced with Miller.
Stay tuned—Part 2 drops right here in 48 hours!
💬 What about your pack? How do your dogs communicate their feelings to you? Do you have completely opposite personalities under your roof? Let me know in the comments below!
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