Winter With A Jindo Is Just As Cold

I wanted to give her cuddles but she walked away;

and I thought I was aloof.

She keeps pulling me and I keep stopping to remind her to walk next to me;

and I thought I was the most independent.

I tried to call her name but the squirrel was her prey

and she wouldn't take her eyes away from that branch;

and I thought I was most focused.

I thought she'd never love me

and I felt like giving up.

I laid my head down on the soft pillow on my couch

and she laid right next to my head.

I felt the love.

She must be just like me.

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I had a chance to dog sit a couple of Jindos and I was humbled to understand that Jindos are just like humans - loyal, independent, playful towards their kind, cautious when traumatized, stubborn but quick to follow with stern commands - or cats, depending on how you see it.

If we can use MBT personality tests on dogs, the Jindo I watched over for a week would be fit to be ISTJ. She cares less about how I feel and won't be swayed by the treat on my hand. You can't break her focus when she spots that dog walking a block away. Without a stern hand, she will keep standing there, ears pointed up, hind legs planted on that concrete like a lamppost. She's stubborn and slow to trust - her first day in San Francisco, she accidentally slipped out of her leash and walked around the city. She was spotted in several different neighborhoods for three-and-a-half days. If you're from San Francisco, you know you won't walk from Glen Park to Mission Bay - well this dog did.

But when we're alone in our walks, she's calm; she doesn't tug on the leash and she occasionally glances at me, looking for affirmation that she's doing a good job. She listens when I tell her to leave it. She would stop for that fluffy prey with its human from across the street but a gentle tug on her leash brings her back to me and we move along. She is not food motivated but I've managed to use treats to trick her to walk towards me until she thinks she's at a safe distance. When I come closer, she walks away.

Added bonus, by the end of my dog sitting week, she had permitted me to pet her chin several times and even if she hated being cornered, she let me hold her legs as I wiped her paws.

This experience got me to write a poem. And the essence of this poem can be translated to an independent woman; focused on her ambitions; loyal only to the closest. She is introspective; more sensible but quite instinctive nevertheless; quick to judge and cares less about perspective. She has a wild heart; a free spirit; a don't-care attitude.

When I reflect on this week, Jei and I are almost the same except for being withdrawn. I may look aloof but I crave cuddles like a needy lap dog. I'm cautious towards strangers but when I get used to them, I cherish them forever. I do, however, have a hard time saying how I feel so I guess it may be the same with a Jindo's spirit.

I wish I can adopt her. I'm not ready this year and we might both end up in the streets. She'll survive, but I won't. I wonder if she'll wander around without me or if she will stay close because I am her person. I'm going to miss her when she gets adopted.

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12/14/2020: Jei has been adopted a few weeks ago and even though we miss her, she is in the safest, most lovable hands. If you are looking to adopt your next loyal partner in life, consider Love Second Chances. Link below.

11/11/2020: Jei is adoptable through Love Second Chances - an organization in the Bay Area dedicated to saving as many dogs as they can from death row. If you believe that you are disciplined and patient enough to train a Jindo, please help us get Jei adopted. Once she opens up to you, she will be your friend for life. For more information on Jindo breeds, you may visit this blog and read success stories from Jindo owners.