I have just walked up to the top of a special place. It is a very steep hill that I climb every day, but this morning the mist was blowing in all around me, giving it a very mystical feeling. It reminded me of Ireland, the next best place after America. I was not alone of course. I had two dogs and a cat as my fellow pilgrims, who are now lying around me as I write this column. They are such wonderful companions for this part of my life, because they are company, but never ask what I'm doing, how long it will take, or if they can read it.

I am especially aware of their peacefulness today after I finished reading a most amazing book. It was written by our own Father Jeff Golliher, priest of St. John's Episcopal Church on Market Street in Ellenville. The book is called, A Deeper Faith, and is in our libraries now. It is very helpful for anyone struggling with life or enjoying life, or as an individual take on things. You do not have to be religious or any particular religion to get a lot from it. I happen to have had the joy of meeting Father and Mrs. Golliher's dog, Luke, who is mentioned in the book. The dog is a kind of teacher to the priest. He has certainly turned into a fine gentleman dog, and that brings me to my topic: why?

Luke may have had fine-tempered genes; that does matter. The dog, however, could have been made into a fearful, threatening animal if he had not had the love and patience he got from the start by his human caretakers. Just as with children, the parents are the difference between a good or troublesome outcome. In all aspects of their lives, there should be loving kindness. Puppies do not understand potty outside until they are four months old. Pushing a dog's nose in a mistake on the floor means nothing, except a sense of fear of the owner. It is up to you to be sure a puppy can get outside after every meal, first thing in the morning, several times a day, and at bedtime. Go to the same spot and praise when he gets it done. A puppy should not be put in a crate for more than an hour when he is small and never when you are at home. He can use it for sleeping overnight. A puppy has to learn manners such as not jumping up. Don't yell or hit him, just take his front legs and put them down and say sit. As with lessons of all kinds, this must be done over and over and over again.

You are the one who must be sure his collar does not get too tight, that he walks on a leash, is neutered or spayed by six months old, and is not allowed to roam free. Would you let a three-year-old child just go out into the street? Of course not. She doesn't understand danger yet, and a dog does not really ever understand that the big, smelly, metal thing can hurt her or that it goes fast on that grey strip of land that she crosses without looking.

You also must curb an aggressive behavior from the start by not playing pull on the toy or pretend fighting. It is not cute and will get your dog into trouble later. When your name comes up in conversation, do you want people to say, "Oh, they have that nasty dog or bad child," or would you rather hear, "Oh, they are so nice and have the best, sweetest dog and kids"?

For real peace of mind, it doesn't matter what size house you have or your income, your education or toys, but it does matter if you are a good, responsible neighbor and a loving parent of pets and people alike.

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