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Dear Frankie

July 16, 2025 by Staff Writer

Alpha Dog

  • Dear Frankie,
  • Is this what humans think about dogs, or is it just my mom? 

Her friend asked her, Do you ever wonder what Talia thinks about when she looks at you like that? 

My mom said she does that to communicate that she loves me. In truth, when I look at her that way, I usually have lost my ball and wonder if she has seen it. 

She then said she was the Alpha Dog in our pack (she is single; it’s just the two of us). She explained that the Alpha Dog’s role is to provide her pack with family guidance, nurturance, and comfort. I never realized she thought she was a dog. 

Should I play along or tell my Nana so she can get her some help? 

Talia

Dear Talia, 

If I have said it once, I said it a thousand times. Forgive me for being repetitive. Humans believe some of the strangest things. 

My mom thinks I will only eat out of a red bowl. She will even go as far as to show her friends what I do when she offers me food in a green bowl. I’m not dumb, so as expected, I turn away. 

I love her and want her to look good to her friends. When she makes her point about the bowl, my only thought is, will she dump it into a red bowl so I can get on with my day? You can’t believe how thrilled she is to tell her friends she knows my every thought and feeling. 

My friends at the park and I often crack up at the crazy things our families say about us. I wouldn’t be surprised if your mom does think of herself as a dog. But I don’t think Nana needs to be involved. 

Best, Frankie

© 2025 Geneva Woodruff

Comments and letters can be sent to Frankie at dearfrankiecolumn@gmail.com. The Fairhaven Neighbor­hood News publishes the Dear Frankie column. To receive a free online sub­scrip­tion, readers can email neighbnews@comcast.net, request their name be added to the email list or visit www.neighbnews.com to read the paper online or to download the latest issue.

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