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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dinah on October 19, 2009, at 10:47:33
We're still having a running argument about the egg of shame. My position being that having a list of events diminishes all of them, and having things come up in a more organic way is more helpful. My therapist disagrees.
My therapist was quite taken with my vision of him as a Newfoundland. He saw one on TV recently, and was impressed enough to be happy to be a Newfie.
He asked me to choose dogs for other people in my life. My husband, my son, myself, and (believe it or not) Dr. Bob.
I'm pretty easy. I'm either a Sheltie or a Saluki. The proper Sheltie is rather reserved with people who aren't part of their families. Not shy, but cautious and reserving judgment. Fiercely loyal to their masters. Also they are very sensitive. However, they are also quite obedient and love to work. A Saluki is a sighthound whose work is what they love, but aren't overly industrious otherwise. They can also be very attached to those they love, and are of course quite sensitive as most sighthounds are. I lean more towards Saluki, because I think I'm terribly undisciplined for a sheepdog.
My immediate response for my husband was "some sort of terrier". Then I realized that was silly. I may admire the spirit of terriers, but I'd have never married one. So I'm thinking a border collie without enough to do maybe. His idea of a perfect day off is one where he is able to get a lot done around the house and check something off his list. He's full of barely leashed energy of the crackling sort. He's responsible and loyal, in no small part because he expects it of himself. He's brilliantly intelligent and funny. And I can practically feel him herding us at times. But not terribly intuitive or sensitive, which bothers me for a perfect Border Collie match. He's way way left brained. That's not an insult, btw. I often think he's way better off for not being overwhelmed by sensitivity.
I'm having a tough time deciding whether my son is a spaniel or a sheepdog. I can see elements of both. I'm leaning towards spaniel, although I'm not sure spaniels worry enough. They are pretty easy going in general, aren't they?
And Dr. Bob doesn't strike me as a dog at all. A cat perhaps...
Posted by Deneb on October 19, 2009, at 11:07:12
In reply to Finally, fun homework. Anyone know dogs?, posted by Dinah on October 19, 2009, at 10:47:33
Hehehe, your T must think Dr. Bob is an important person in your life.
(((((((((((Dr. Bob the cat)))))))))))) lol
Posted by Dinah on October 19, 2009, at 11:24:28
In reply to Re: Finally, fun homework. Anyone know dogs? » Dinah, posted by Deneb on October 19, 2009, at 11:07:12
Well, he's come up in session over the years. :)
Posted by Phillipa on October 19, 2009, at 13:21:59
In reply to Re: Finally, fun homework. Anyone know dogs?, posted by Dinah on October 19, 2009, at 11:24:28
I'm a poodle, Daughter here since a brat a shitzu like Chloe, Bob a pit bull. My husband a German Shephard as bitten by one in the butt when a kid. Love Phillipa
Posted by Dinah on October 19, 2009, at 13:40:50
In reply to Re: Finally, fun homework. Anyone know dogs? » Dinah, posted by Phillipa on October 19, 2009, at 13:21:59
Which size poodle? I'm most familiar with standards. They're not only smart, and enjoy clowning, and have a great sense of humor, but they can be a bit persnickety about their belongings and their routines. The ones I knew were a bit neurotic, but I saw a pair on the Tonight Show (with Johnny Carson I think) who took part in the Ididerod (sp?), which I thought was really impressive.
German Shepherds can be very impressive, but a bit more power than I can handle I think.
Dr. Bob as a pit bull? I dunno... Admittedly he's a Rorschach test, but I see him more as an independent hound, if I can picture him as any sort of canine. Scent or sight hound, I'm not sure. Black and tan coonhound? Or Basenji!
Posted by Phillipa on October 19, 2009, at 20:00:31
In reply to Re: Finally, fun homework. Anyone know dogs? » Phillipa, posted by Dinah on October 19, 2009, at 13:40:50
I'm a toy poodle very smart and the ones I've had were so gentle and kind easy to care for. As for Bob some pitt's are raised well others to be mean and fight. Just analogy. Phillipa
Posted by Dinah on October 19, 2009, at 21:52:10
In reply to Re: Finally, fun homework. Anyone know dogs? » Dinah, posted by Phillipa on October 19, 2009, at 20:00:31
Definitely a Rorschach test. :)
It just occurred to me that he didn't ask about my mother. Or my brother. Which is just as well, but it seems a glaring omission. And one I have no intention of bringing to his notice.
Posted by Dinah on October 19, 2009, at 21:56:14
In reply to Re: Finally, fun homework. Anyone know dogs? » Dinah, posted by Phillipa on October 19, 2009, at 20:00:31
I think it's an interesting exercise. Well, maybe moreso for me than many, because I think in terms of dogs easily. But it helped me solidify some impressions to think about it.
I think your self image is a nice one. You see yourself as smart and gentle and easy to care for?
I know I'm nowhere near nice enough to be a toy spaniel. I'm not nearly sweet enough or outgoing enough to be most toys.
Posted by Dinah on October 20, 2009, at 12:44:42
In reply to Re: Finally, fun homework. Anyone know dogs? » Dinah, posted by Phillipa on October 19, 2009, at 20:00:31
Hmmm... In the session, when pressed, I came up with Great Dane for my father. Maybe a rather dramatic and melancholic black Great Dane named Hamlet.
And I'm sticking with hound for Dr. Bob. Hounds aren't a whit aggressive, though they can be dominant. They're most likely to do what you want them to do if they decide that's what they want to do anyway. If you try to push them, they'll plant all four paws on the ground and can be quite immovable. And if they catch hold of an interesting scent (or sight as the case may be) they are off and running, and no matter how much you yell or plead they won't come back till they're good and ready.
Posted by seldomseen on October 20, 2009, at 16:30:27
In reply to Re: Finally, fun homework. Anyone know dogs? » Phillipa, posted by Dinah on October 20, 2009, at 12:44:42
This is fun to think about. My psychiatrist is hard to pin down as a dog, he's a shepherding dog of some sort, perhaps a corgie. I don't know, it changes from day to day I think.
On a side note, the "five words" exercise seemed to have a profound effect on my T. He is *still* talking about my 5 words about him. I think it made a bigger impression on him than me. I don't think we will go into the dog thing just yet, I'm not sure he can handle it ;)
Seldom.
Posted by Phillipa on October 20, 2009, at 19:32:55
In reply to Re: Finally, fun homework. Anyone know dogs? » Phillipa, posted by Dinah on October 19, 2009, at 21:56:14
Ummm Dinah I was misleading as described the dog. Me easy to care for definitely not my husband would definitely say I'm a pain, gentle probably, smart either smart or really stupid. I picked poodle as hair the long curly perm like their fur. My pups are definitely sweetie than I'll ever be. Love Phillipa whoops got to write you something.
Posted by Dinah on October 21, 2009, at 11:25:19
In reply to Re: Finally, fun homework. Anyone know dogs? » Dinah, posted by seldomseen on October 20, 2009, at 16:30:27
I think I'm jealous!!
I went in carrying a photo of a Newfoundland, since my therapist doesn't know where the card I gave him is. Last time I saw it it was in his desk drawer. He is just so pleased with that description of himself. :) When he saw the picture he said something about the dog being very large and cuddly, then saw my dismay, and amended that to protective and safe. I have a feeling that the imagery might be carrying over to other parts of his life, since he mentioned seeing one on TV while watching with his wife. (Insert Calvin face - We really need a Calvin face emoticon.)
I pointed out that this obviously indicated that I remembered my homework assignment, but that I was guessing that he hadn't. He agreed he hadn't. I'm relatively sure he does not remember what words I used to describe him, and I'd probably have to look up what five words he used about me. :)
But your therapist remembers! Is he pleased and flattered? Although honestly my therapist seems to remember the unflattering things I say about him better...
I will say that I think it added to our relationship, even if he doesn't remember it particularly.
Posted by Dinah on October 21, 2009, at 11:27:24
In reply to Re: Finally, fun homework. Anyone know dogs? » Dinah, posted by Phillipa on October 20, 2009, at 19:32:55
Well, no one is as sweet as a sweet dog. :)
I wish I was like one of the toys, even the more difficult ones. But I'm not the teensiest bit lively or delicate or anything else.
I did realize that when I thought about the happiest people I knew, I thought of them as sporting breeds. I wonder if sporting breeds are the happiest dogs. Along with toys of course.
Posted by seldomseen on October 21, 2009, at 17:22:35
In reply to Re: Finally, fun homework. Anyone know dogs? » seldomseen, posted by Dinah on October 21, 2009, at 11:25:19
Oh yeah, he remembers. He even let slip that he was thinking about them outside of session. I'm not quite sure what the hang-up on his part is, but I'll find out I'm sure.
Still no stable dog image yet. What is the cleanest breed of dog you know? He's very scrubbed and starched.
Seldom.
Posted by Phillipa on October 21, 2009, at 20:25:36
In reply to Re: Finally, fun homework. Anyone know dogs? » Dinah, posted by seldomseen on October 21, 2009, at 17:22:35
Around here Bison Fische. Spelled wrong I'm sure. I have one owners dog's pic in my head. Phillipa
Posted by elizabeth31 on October 22, 2009, at 22:51:51
In reply to Finally, fun homework. Anyone know dogs?, posted by Dinah on October 19, 2009, at 10:47:33
fun topic you posted! i am definitely similar to my little Chihuahua :) She's a little high maintanence and tends to be selective with who she likes and dislikes and she can be picky about certain foods and toys...but she's always loving and so devoted and loyal to the people in her life that matter. I think my therapist reminds me of a lab or golden retreiver...maybe at our next appontment i will ask him what he thinks of my personal assessment--haha:)
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